Today the church remembers Catherine of Siena, for whom I've had a rather soft spot ever since Sister St Edmund gave me a prayer card depicting her as a reward for finally finishing the term's sewing project in Junior 2.
Given the quality of my needlework, then as now, it is fitting that the only words of Catherine's that I remember were given to me by a very wise priest early in my curacy
"You are not called to perfection but to infinite desire".
Infinite desire....That sounds like me,- a dreamer of huge dreams who is so reluctant to see anything as settled, complete, perfect....
That one sentence reflects both an abiding sense of aspiration, of stretching out towards something that is just beyond reach, and the reminder of reality.
I will not achieve perfection in anything - and that's actually quite alright.
Catherine simply encourages us to go on looking beyond the immediate horizon...daring to engage with ever greater visions...and to believe that God will bring them about.
Infinite desire operating here in the Little Blue State. Perfection? Not so much.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Catherine of Siena quote is If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world on fire.
ReplyDeleteI'm seeking the grace of infinite desire...at term's end I'm mostly infinitely tired!
Well she is, of course, the Catherine I have always been most attached to as well, and with that quote, I'm clinched! I'm blogs behind and am reading in gulps so also want to say I loved your sermon lots.
ReplyDeleteOh Michelle - thank you. That is a simply stunning quote as well.I think I may feel a supplementary post coming on....
ReplyDeleteI have problems with Catherine of Sienna - VERY BIG Problems! But the quotes ARE lovely.
ReplyDeleteIgnore her lifestyle marcella....just remember that she took on the Pope and nearly won!!
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderfully inspiring quote! I worry far too much about perfection.
ReplyDeleteI am reminded of our first day in Rome...finding Catherine's tomb, and effigy, in Santa Maria sopra Minerva -- stepping back to look at it from a different angle and having to step AROUND Fra Angelico's gravestone to do so -- then looking up and seeing the painting by Fra Lippo Lippi...and then I had to sit down for a bit! Synapses dangerously OVERLOADED!
ReplyDeleteI'll never forget all the Texas Baptists hearing the story about St. Catherine's head being cut off after her death (as a relic) and then the light came on the altar so they could all see it...Agh!
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving me a different image. :)