St. Catherine of Siena
Acts 5, 34-42
But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. Then he said to them, ‘Fellow-Israelites, consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared.
After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!’
They were convinced by him, and when they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Staying True to One’s Calling
Anyone who knows anything about the life of St. Catherine of Siena will smile at today’s Scripture being proclaimed on her memorial. She was not one to bridle her tongue. As a child she used her voice with full agency to act in accordance with what she knew was God’s calling for her. When those who had authority over her tried to restrict her from following through with her calling and sanctioned her, she turned the tables and would not speak under any circumstance. This infuriated both her parents and confessor. Her self-imposed time-out was a contemplative time of conversations with the Lord.
The mission of Lay Order of Preachers (Dominicans) is “to Praise to Bless to Preach.” Ignatian spirituality calls us to practice the Examen. Catherine’s life and spirituality as a contemplative was a life of self-examination and staying true to her calling.
—Dr. Valerie D. Lewis-Mosley, is a Caldwell Dominican Lay Associate Order of Preachers who embraces Dominican and Ignatian Spirituality to preach against racism.
Prayer
How often in your life have you not spoken up to proclaim Christ either in your actions or voice?
Does fear cause you to be silent?
“Proclaim the truth and do not be silent through fear.”
“Speak the truth in a million voices. It is silence that kills.”
Let us pray for Holy Boldness like the apostles and like St. Catherine.
“Realize that in Christ crucified you can do anything.”
“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the whole world on fire.”
—Dr. Valerie D. Lewis-Mosley with quotes from St. Catherine of Siena