Thought for the Day – 30 May – The Memorial of St Joan of Arc (1412-1431)
Like Jesus’ life, Joan of Arc’s life seemed to end in failure. But like Jesus, to love God means to always obey His will. She said with total confidence and abandonment: “I entrust myself to my Creator God, I love Him with my whole heart”. One of the best known texts of the first trial has to do with this: “Asked if she knew that she was in God’s grace, she replied: ‘If I am not, may it please God to put me in it; if I am, may it please God to keep me there’” It is this fidelity we should seek – this mission which Joan seemed to know would destroy her, still for her it was to carry out God’s work, regardless of the effects on her life. May we too seek this total fidelity and self-giving to God for this life of ours, it is not ours but has been given to us by grace of His love.
Few Christians hear heaven-sent voices. I know I don’t. Joan was one of those rare exceptions who did. She obeyed what she perceived to be God’s directions and against all odds she achieved the purpose she was given. Though I’ve never heard a heaven-sent voice, now and then I sense something God wants of me. Perhaps Joan’s example will reach down through the centuries to encourage us to listen closely for and then to obey, God’s message to us.
AnaStpaul 