I don’t
desire death. I’m not talking about the
kind that comes from depression but the sort written about in the personal
diary of St. Jean de Brebeuf, (1593 – 1649). “For the last two days I’ve experience
the desire to be a martyr.” Days later it came to pass.
desire death. I’m not talking about the
kind that comes from depression but the sort written about in the personal
diary of St. Jean de Brebeuf, (1593 – 1649). “For the last two days I’ve experience
the desire to be a martyr.” Days later it came to pass.
He was a
Jesuit missionary from France who came to North America in 625 to evangelize
Native Americans. He had lived among the Huron for over 15 years when the
Iroquois launched war against them.
Refusing to flee when the Huron village was attacked, Brebeuf and
his companions were captured and tortured to death by the Iroquois.
Jesuit missionary from France who came to North America in 625 to evangelize
Native Americans. He had lived among the Huron for over 15 years when the
Iroquois launched war against them.
Refusing to flee when the Huron village was attacked, Brebeuf and
his companions were captured and tortured to death by the Iroquois.
Why would a
strong and passionate young man desire martyrdom instead of escape and life? Does our lack of such a desire indicate
spiritual weakness?
strong and passionate young man desire martyrdom instead of escape and life? Does our lack of such a desire indicate
spiritual weakness?
I hope that
my reason for lacking that desire is based on circumstances. God had called
Brebeuf to martyrdom and has called me to live; at least for today. So to align my will to God’s will for today, I
desire life and to live it in union with him. When he calls me home, I will
pray to desire that. The key is not that we desire one thing or the other, but
that we simply desire what God wants.
my reason for lacking that desire is based on circumstances. God had called
Brebeuf to martyrdom and has called me to live; at least for today. So to align my will to God’s will for today, I
desire life and to live it in union with him. When he calls me home, I will
pray to desire that. The key is not that we desire one thing or the other, but
that we simply desire what God wants.
In a recent homily at Cathedral of the Holy
Spirit, Msgr. Thomas Richter explained that often the failing in our lives is
the lack of desire. “I can go to the heart of Christ to ask for desire,” he
said. “The first grace he gives us is
the grace of desire. We should go to Jesus for all that we need, especially for
holy desires.” He pointed out that before Pentecost, the apostles had no desire
to evangelize and to be martyred, but once they received the Holy Spirit, they
received that desire.
Spirit, Msgr. Thomas Richter explained that often the failing in our lives is
the lack of desire. “I can go to the heart of Christ to ask for desire,” he
said. “The first grace he gives us is
the grace of desire. We should go to Jesus for all that we need, especially for
holy desires.” He pointed out that before Pentecost, the apostles had no desire
to evangelize and to be martyred, but once they received the Holy Spirit, they
received that desire.
Praying for
desire reminded me of Father John Riccardo’s story about his call
to the priesthood, which is part of a collection of stories in Amazing
Grace for the Catholic Heart. Here is an excerpt:
desire reminded me of Father John Riccardo’s story about his call
to the priesthood, which is part of a collection of stories in Amazing
Grace for the Catholic Heart. Here is an excerpt:
“ Something
stirred within me. I thought, ‘Oh nuts! I think I’m suppose to
do this.’ I almost threw my Bible on the ground. In frustration, I cried out to
God, ‘Lord, I don’t get it. I thought of marriage once, that didn’t fit;
the brotherhood didn’t fit, I started dating again, that
stirred within me. I thought, ‘Oh nuts! I think I’m suppose to
do this.’ I almost threw my Bible on the ground. In frustration, I cried out to
God, ‘Lord, I don’t get it. I thought of marriage once, that didn’t fit;
the brotherhood didn’t fit, I started dating again, that
didn’t fit…’
“Suddenly,
I heard a clear voice speaking to me: ‘John, I’m inviting you to live single
and to do it as a priest.’ Although the voice would not have been
audible to another, it was certainly not my own voice–I had never even
considered the priesthood.
I heard a clear voice speaking to me: ‘John, I’m inviting you to live single
and to do it as a priest.’ Although the voice would not have been
audible to another, it was certainly not my own voice–I had never even
considered the priesthood.
“I responded, ‘Lord, if that’s what you want me to do, then you better give
me a desire for it, because I don’t have it.’ By the fifth day, I
longed to know more about the priesthood. “
me a desire for it, because I don’t have it.’ By the fifth day, I
longed to know more about the priesthood. “
God takes care of everything. With
a holy desire, everything else falls into place. God gives us all the graces we need to follow
the desires he places in our heart.
a holy desire, everything else falls into place. God gives us all the graces we need to follow
the desires he places in our heart.
~~~~~~~~~
For more inspiration check out Patti’s latest book: Holy Hacks: Everyday Ways to Live Your Faith & Get to Heaven. Other books include: Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories from Everyday Families and the best-selling Amazing Grace Series.
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