St. Bernadette suffered much in her 35 years on this earth - the pain of many bodily illnesses, including severe asthma, and later, the tuberculosis that eventually claimed her life - as well as the pain of being ridiculed by those who did not believe she had truly seen Mary in the grotto at Lourdes - and then, the pain of being constantly pursued by those who did believe her visions - and later, the pain of being mistreated by her superiors after entering a convent. Yet, in all these things, she persevered in faith and humility, desiring neither attention nor praise.
She once described her humble estimation of herself to another nun in the convent in this way:
"What do you do with a broom?"
"Why, sweep with it, of course."
"And then?"
"Put it back in its place."
"Yes. And so for me. Our Lady used me. They have put me in my corner. I am happy there, and stay there."
A broom. St. Bernadette saw herself as a simple implement in the hands of God, and the hands of the Blessed Mother.
Even more, St. Bernadette offered herself to the hands of God, letting her life be poured out like the water from that miraculous spring, to be a blessing and inspiration to others. She resolved to endure all her sufferings through love for God and others, "I shall spend every moment loving. One who loves does not notice her trials; or perhaps more accurately, she is able to love them."
She had received an incredible grace in being blessed to see Mary, and she understood that grace for precisely what it was - a gift that had nothing to do with any greatness of her own. Such amazing humility. Such amazing strength, and faith, and hope, and love, in the face of great suffering.
+St. Bernadette, please pray for us, that we might follow your example more closely!
The grotto at the Shrine of St. Bernadette, in Albuquerque:
No comments:
Post a Comment