Discernment…
“And turning, he rebuked them, saying: ‘You know not of what spirit you are.’” - Luke 9: 55
In her book Foundations, St. Teresa of Avila relates the story of a very pious, mortified woman who enjoyed a great reputation for sanctity. Though very humble, the woman must have exercised much influence in her town and in religious circles. The woman, who had no regular confessor, took it upon herself to communicate daily - something rarely heard of in her day. (Although she alternated churches, going to one, one day, and another the next.)
In keeping with the custom of the time, St. Teresa and other friends of the woman thought daily communion may have been excessive and that the woman - of her own accord - would have done well to consider not receiving every day, and instead place herself under obedience. (I forget the details of why Mother Teresa thought this.) Of course the woman wouldn’t hear of it, though she appeared to remain quite humble and devout.
At some point the holy woman became very ill and arranged for Mass to be said in her home, so that she might continue to communicate daily. One day, the priest who celebrated Mass for her, also felt communion on a daily basis was excessive and perhaps inappropriate in such an intimate setting. The woman protested, becoming very agitated, and then suddenly enraged, or “vexed” as Teresa likes to say, complaining to the priest. Nevertheless, the priest left without giving in to her wishes. The woman died that day. St. Teresa said she did not know if she had been reconciled before she passed away or not.
What’s my point?
I thought of this story after speaking to a woman (who has the reputation of being rather devout), on the phone yesterday afternoon. I had never met the woman before, but she emailed me requesting I call her so she could share some information with me after reading my blogs. (Before calling I first checked her out with a friend of mine whom I trust - he assured me she was very good.) After I called, the woman immediately guaranteed me of her “orthodoxy” and recited her resume of achievements and good works over the years, along with the number of times she goes to Mass each week, as well as the very good priests she is friends with. Then she proceeded to tell me stories about a local religious order of men, as well as other clerics and lay Catholics, who are homosexuals. I do not know if any of it was calumny, but it certainly was detraction.
“And turning, he rebuked them, saying: ‘You know not of what spirit you are.’” - Luke 9: 55
[Art: Crucified Jesus, attributed to St. Alphonsus Liguori.]
