Even the lives of obscure holy persons teach us something, as our Saint of the Day proves. ✝️
Saint of the Day for April 9: Casilda (d. c. 1050) Listen to Saint Casilda’s story here Some saints’ names are far more familiar to us than others, but even the lives of obscure holy persons teach us something. And so it is with Saint Casilda. Her father was a Muslim leader in Toledo, Spain, in the 10th century. Casilda was a devout Muslim but was kind to Christian prisoners. She became ill as a young woman but did not trust that any of the local Arab doctors could cure her. So she made a pilgrimage to the shrine of San Vicenzo in northern Spain. Like many others who made their way there—many of them suffering from hemorrhages—Casilda sought the healing waters of the shrine. We’re uncertain what brought her to the shrine, but we do know that she left it relieved of illness. In response, she became a Christian and lived a life of solitude and penance not far from the miraculous spring. It’s said that she lived to be 100 years old. Her death likely occurred around the year 1050. Reflection Tensions between Muslims and Christians have often existed throughout history, sometimes resulting in bloody conflict. Through her quiet, simple life Casilda served her Creator—first in one faith, then in another.
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In Communion with the Father
Our wounded human nature being what it is, the temptation may be to wish we Have you ever been surrounded by a whirlwind of activity, perhaps in the midst of family and friends, and felt a sudden whoosh of deep contentment? This is what Pope Francis is talking about when he refers to a “joyful peace.” It’s the swirling flow of a dance, the soaring notes of a symphony. Too often when we imagine peace, we think that it needs to be perfect stillness. If we’re honest, we think that we might be a little bit bored with peace. When we reflect on the life of the Lord in the Gospels, we realize he was almost always in motion: walking, preaching, teaching, healing, eating, and drinking. Even when he went off to deserted places to pray, one imagines that he was in an active communion with his Father. —from Franciscan Spirit’s “Peaceful Mind, Joyful Heart“
by Diane M. Houdek |
When Pride Leads to Humility
Reflect Arrogance and self-promotion are very human, which means we all have fallen into those traps. But humility is the path we should be on. Can you see it from where you are standing? Pray Forgiving and patient God,
Too often I want to puff my chest
and show the world
how smart I am,
how much I have,
what all I can do.
But then I remember:
I am because of you.
If the human family
is a tree,
I am one branch of many.
No bigger, no better.
Amen. Act When you feel the need to flex, quiet your heart for a moment and remember that humility is golden. Today’s Pause+Pray was written by Christopher Heffron. Learn more here! |
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