Catherine of Siena committed herself radically to God at the age of seven, even younger than my daughter was when we visited Siena, Italy, last year (in the photo). By the time she died at 33, Catherine had lived a life of spiritual devotion and service to the poor. She was named a "Doctor of Church" renowned for her interior life as well as her engagement in political and civic affairs.
This week's reading by Catherine of Siena (Devotional Classics, p. 264) comes to us from the 14th century, with the voice of a vintage Christian long gone from this life. As you read it, are you able to connect with one image that is vivid to you today?
This week's reading by Catherine of Siena (Devotional Classics, p. 264) comes to us from the 14th century, with the voice of a vintage Christian long gone from this life. As you read it, are you able to connect with one image that is vivid to you today?
- Describe the three stairs in your own words. In what ways have you experienced any of these?
- The cross, for Catherine of Siena, is the bridge between God and humanity. Does Catherine believe that the cross of Jesus is the only way to God? Do you believe that the cross of Jesus is the only way?
- In the accompanying Scripture, John 14:1-11, Thomas is confused about the "way" Jesus is going. Talk about how Jesus responds. What might Catherine say to help Thomas understand?
- How might this reading from Catherine speak to you during the coming Holy Week and Easter?
next week: Watchman Nee on Evangelism
1 comment:
Suffering is a conundrum. Bizarre as it might seem, suffering heightens the senses. It is definitely NOT an intellectual experience. Without cataloging what I have been blessed to endure, suffice it to say that each experience is a step toward God. [Please don't interpret this to mean that I've enjoyed it. It is only on an intellectual level that I "see" it.]
As Jesus is the Way, the Truth, & the Light, suffering strangely sheds light to that we can really see, speaks to us clearly so that we can understand (without words), and leads us -- in spite of ourselves -- to our own good, which is the same as God. We are all moving toward that end.
So, onward over the bridge. :o)
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