Sister,
saint,
dear
heavenly friend,
please
pray for me.
Teach me
how to believe
like you did.
Show me
how to be brave
like you were.
Be the spark
that helps me start
a wildfire
of God’s love,
like you said
we all can.
Saint Catherine of Siena was a mystic, saint and doctor of the Catholic Church, who is considered the patron saint of Italy. With her tremendous calling from God in her 33 years on earth, she made a profound impact as an author, activist and woman of faith. She was somehow able to achieve all of this as a layperson.
Today, I encourage you to ask for her intercession and meditate on her words of wisdom, as she was so close to the Lord on earth and is certainly working powerfully for Him in heaven. Her words speak to the soul and challenge us to grow in faith, hope, love and courage to share that faith, hope and love with others.
Jesus said “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” (Luke 12:49) What do you think Saint Catherine means by saying “be who you God meant you to be, and you will set hte world on fire”? Who do you think God is calling you to be? How can God use ordinary people like you and me to spread the fire of His love in the world?
In 22:37-38, Jesus said “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” Where are you at on your journey of loving God above all things? What other “loves” do you possibly prioritize above your faith? Do you notice how you take on characteristics of the things/people/places you care about? How have you become more Christlike on your spiritual journey so far?
Have you had a palpable experience of realizing God’s presence with you like Saint Catherine describes in this quote? How would it change your thoughts, feelings and behavior to realize God is truly in you and all around you?
In John 14:6, Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” So often we perceive spiritual journey to be full of suffering. How does this Saint Catherine of Siena quote challenge your thinking on that? How do you experience heaven on earth, as you journey closer to God through prayer? What joy has God brought into your life that keeps you coming back for more?
So often in life, we feel pressure to do great things for God. How does this quote challenge your assumptions about what God considers to be great? Is it possible to do seemingly great things out of pride? How are you sharing God’s love with others today that is possibly not gaining worldly approval? How can you grow in humility and possibly let go of your ideas of what you should be doing in order to discern what God is truly calling you to?
Is there a grand calling on your life that God is calling you to, which you haven’t had the courage to embrace? How is fear holding you back from fully living your faith and doing great things for the Lord? How does this Saint Catherine of Siena quote challenge and motivate you?
It can be uncomfortable to share the truth about our faith and feelings with others. How does this Saint Catherine of Siena quote challenge you to speak out more?
Do you struggle to imagine you can possibly do great things for the Lord? Is it possible you’re focusing too much on your own weaknesses, rather than the Lord’s strength? In 2 Corinthians 12, Saint Paul says of the thorn in his side: “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” How can you focus more on Christ’s strength than your weaknesses today?
How do Saint Catherine of Siena’s words speak to your soul and strengthen your faith? Comment below, and I’ll be delighted to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Lord, thank you for the life, prayers and example of Saint Catherine of Siena! Help us to know you, love you and follow you with all of our hearts like she did! Kindle the flame of faith in our hearts that she talks about. Strengthen us to live the fullness of our callings like she did. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
Saint and Doctor of the Church Catherine of Siena, pray for us!
written by Nicky Gant for http://www.uniteinprayer.org 4/29/2020