Simplicity

“Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what You want me to be – and becoming that person.” St. Therese of Lisieux

Recently, while on a visit to Venice, I took the boat ride with my friends to the Island of the Armenians of St. Lazarus (Isola degli Armeni). It is a curious place in the middle of the Venetian lagoon. The island was given to Mkhitar Sebastatsi, an Armenian Catholic monk around 1717. The community was born and houses many works. It brought out the first Armenia language dictionary and supported Armenian Culture despite the sufferings of the people around the world. Where I live, I went to the celebration of the 300th anniversary of its established at the Armenian Catholic Church here locally. It is a remarkable place and even though I went with people who live there, they had never been before. The first monk accepted help when it was offered. The beauty and serenity of the place is obvious, but it would not exist if it were not for the first monk accepting help. How often do we need help and not accept it? We do not listen, pay attention nor try to understand the other person’s point of view.

“When you see any good in yourself, attribute it to God and not to self.” St. Benedict of Nursia

This week, we celebrated many saints’ feast days. One that has always intrigued me was the feast of the Martyrs of Otranto. St. Antony Primaldo was the spokesman for the town and facing death or abandoning their faith, they chose Christ. Most names have not come down to us.  Another saint I had read about was St. Sylvester Gozzolini. He was from a noble Italian family in the 1200s but he entered religious life. He was trying to help his bishop who was not living an admirable life when the bishop threatened to take away his income. St. Sylvester left to become a hermit and lived a most austere lifestyle. Instead of being alone, he attracted so many that upon his death at age 90, he governed 11 monasteries. The Lord works through many people and brings about what He wants in ways we cannot understand so easily.

“All blessings come to us from the Lord.” St. Teresa of Avila

How often do we not accept help? Probably more than we can count. I volunteer with people who have challenges of many types – emotional, physical and mental. Help is out there but we must say yes! A phone call, a visit and offer of friendship takes up a lot of work on our part but the person who needs it has to agree and that is not so easy. We can only offer our help and let God do the rest. I wonder what it would take for someone to finally accept a helping hand. There are many saints who have done great things but were only recognized after they had died. The Lord moves how and when He wants. As difficult as it might be, we have to pay attention. “In order to be saved it is necessary to feel that one is involved, to feel that one is beloved despite everything, to feel that evil is real, but it does not have the last word,” Pope Leo XIV from Vatican News. We need to listen with our ears, but also our heart.

“Do you want to have God always in your mind? Be just as he made you to be. Do not go seeking another you.” St. Anthony of Padua