St. Joseph of the Lakes

I do not remember when I first heard the story of Marthe-Louise Robin; a French woman who lived on theEucharist alone. She was born in 1902 and she died in 1981. From the 1930s onward, Marthe’s only sustenance was Christ in the Eucharist. No food or water would ever pass her lips. On Fridays, when she received Holy Communion, she would relive the Passion of Christ. At first it was spiritually but then it became physical. Marthe was visibly imprinted with the stigmata. In 2014 Pope Francis declared her “venerable” meaning she was being considered for sainthood. For me; her story was heroic and awe inspiring, and at the same time challenging. She represented the highest form of Catholic Christian life as she was nourished by the Eucharist alone. Yet, for all of the glory of her life by comparison it made my daily Catholic life rather mundane. I still get hungry and enjoy a good hamburger now and again.

It is tempting to place people like Marthe-Louise on a pedestal that makes Christianity almost impossible to live. (I think that is always the challenge of most of the lives of the saints.). There seems to be a great gap between these remarkably saintly people and the rest of us. In the gospel today Saint John the Baptist provides some great consolation to those of us who struggle under such great inspirations. (John himself was rather extra-ordinary living in the desert; dressed in camel skin and eating locusts and wild-honey)

As the crowds listened to John they grew excited by his announcement that salvation is close at hand. They ask: “What should we do?” His answer is simple, yet very doable: share what you have (both clothing and food); be fair in collecting taxes (to tax collectors) and do not abuse your authority (to soldiers). There is nothing extra -ordinary expected, just live your life fairly with others and the One who is to come will do the rest. On this Gaudete Sunday, with this good news announced by John we are encouraged by Isaiah:

“Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!  The LORD has removed the judgment against you he has turned away your enemies; the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior…”