“I don’t regret the things I’ve done, I regret the things I didn’t do when I had the chance.” ~ Unknown
Today is the feast of St. Clare of Assisi. She was one very motivated woman who would never have a regret because her life was always lived for the Lord. Even when her parents were making other plans for her — she refused to be married off at the age of 15 — she had her heart set on following the example of an itinerant preacher: Francis of Assisi. At the age of 18, she escaped from her father’s home one night. She met Francis’ friars and they escorted her to Francis who cut off her hair, put her in a coarse habit, and placed her in a Benedictine convent.
As you can imagine, the family was furious. They stormed the convent and tried to drag Clare out. She took off her veil to show her father that her hair had all been cut off and that she had dedicated herself to God. With that, he relented and let her stay. A little over two weeks later, because of her example, Clare’s sister left home and joined the convent as well. From there, more women began to gather around Clare.
Francis organized Clare and her sisters into the Second Order of St. Francis. From that time on, Clare watched over the women who came to her and guided them with maternal care.
While she could be smooth as silk, she could also be tough as nails. There is an account of a time when the Saracens were attacked the land and coming to pillage the convent. Clare, with an abundant trust in God, placed the Eucharist on the walls of the convent and entrusted the care of her sisters to God. She instructed her sisters not to be afraid; but, rather, to trust in God. The Saracens turned and fled.
Clare not only claimed to love and trust the Lord, she lived every moment of her life in that love and trust. As Clare did, so also are we called to do.
How many times have we regretted our decisions, decisions that were made out of spite, envy, jealousy, or a host of other vices. Choices made based on the charms of the world will always lead us to regrets.
But decisions made based upon the virtues of God? They will bring us incredible peace.
FAITH ACTION: Live today in such a manner that you will have no regrets at the end of the day.