Monday, September 28, 2009

Stained Glass Flowers-Little Accounts of the Miraculous

From the life of Brother Lawrence:
Today I saw Brother Lawrence for the first time. He told me: That God had granted him an exceptional grace in his conversion which took place, while he was still in the world, when he was eighteen. He told me that one day while looking at a tree stripped of its leaves, and reflecting that before long its leaves would appear anew, then its flowers and fruits would bloom, he received an insight into the providence and power of God which was never erased from his soul; that this insight had completely detached him from the world, and gave him a love for God so great that it had not increased at all in the forty-odd years that had passed since he had received this grace.
(From the Practice of the Presence of God, translated by John J. Delaney)

If you have read the life of Brother Lawrence you know that he found holiness in the ordinary tasks of everyday life. In the monastery he was assigned to the kitchen, cleaning pots and pans. Although he never left the monastery, his holiness became known throughout the region, and now today, throughout the world. We can see similarities in his life and that of St. Therese who taught us the "little way" of spiritual childhood. Although she never left the monastery she became the Patron saint of foreign missions.

Let us remember when we are doing the dishes or sweeping the floor, or doing any simple task around the house, to offer our humble work to the Father out of pure love for him. As St. Paul tells us, whatever you do, whether eating or drinking...do all for the glory of God.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS
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