Dinner with the Saints
"Apart from me you can do nothing". John 15:5
Welcome! It’s a dinner party and the theme is humility.
What’s for dinner?
Mediterranean Fish Salad features marinated American Paddlefish, fresh vegetables, and strong Greek flavors for a simple and delicious dinner. Served with white wine, brut rosé, or dry Riesling and homemade crusty French bread, olive oil, and herbs for dipping, For Desert, lemon cookies and cream gelato.
“Humility, however deep it be, neither disquiets nor troubles nor disturbs the soul; it is accompanied by peace, joy and tranquillity.” St. Teresa of Avila
God is undoubtedly the source of all good things and every positive aspect of our existence. We can strive to be more like the saints by actively demonstrating their admirable qualities, as well as by thoughtfully learning from their past mistakes and challenges. In doing so, we may find inspiration in their lives and apply valuable lessons to our own journey.This helps us live out our Christian faith in every part of our lives, no matter how small our actions may seem. Leading this life is not easy, as staying true to our Baptismal calling takes constant effort and determination.
Humility is widely regarded as a valuable virtue, yet poverty can be understood as an expression or act of humility, rather than being considered a distinct virtue in itself. Let’s face it, living a life characterized by humility is not easy in these times we find ourselves in. The pressures and expectations of modern society often push us to seek recognition and validation, making the practice of humility increasingly challenging.
Invited to the table are four beautiful saints who, despite facing various challenging circumstances throughout their lives, lived with remarkable grace and great humility. Their stories serve as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and provide inspiration to all who seek to follow their example.
‘The humble person is perceived as someone who gives up, someone defeated, someone who has nothing to say to the world. But this … represents God’s own way of acting.’ —Pope Benedict XVI
St. Thérèse of Lisieux found holiness in the simplest acts of service and prayer, embracing her own limitations and placing her unwavering faith in God's tremendous grace. In doing so, she demonstrated that humility is not just a lofty ideal, but rather a virtue that is attainable for everyone regardless of their circumstances. Her little way of approaching life and faith became a guiding light for many, illustrating that even the smallest acts can carry profound meaning and significance.
“No, I am not a Saint. I have never wrought the works of a Saint. I am but a tiny soul whom Almighty God has loaded with His favors. The truth of what I say will be made known to you in Heaven.” St.Thérèse
St. Martin de Porres was sometimes called a “mulatto dog,” even at times by his own brother friars. When taunted in this disparaging manner, Martin did not respond with anger or fight back, nor did he merely shrug it off dismissively, but instead he often sought out these individuals to perform acts of kindness and good works for them. When his friends would reprove him for this seemingly selfless behavior, he would thoughtfully say that these people truly know him, acknowledging his identity as a sinner. Martin was a highly skilled and well-trained barber as well as a surgeon who dedicated his entire life to helping the poor and sick in his local community. His selfless actions consistently demonstrated great humility and deep compassion, clearly highlighting his unwavering commitment to bettering the lives of those he served.
St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) called humility the mother of all virtues. She said: “If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are. If you are blamed you will not be discouraged. If they call you a saint you will not put yourself on a pedestal.” Mother Teresa chose to leave behind her comforts and training to help those in need. Although she did not seek recognition, she is regarded as one of the greatest humanitarians of the 20th century for dedicating her time to those whom others overlooked.
St. Francis of Assisi saw poverty and humility as twins.(Franciscan media) For him, the profound act of becoming human reflected the remarkable humility of the all-powerful God. Although he is now glorified and seated at the right hand of the Father in heavenly majesty, Jesus continues to come to us in even greater humility and poverty. He does so not only under the humble guise of ordinary bread, but also as the very sustenance we need, offering himself as food for our journey. He chose to focus not on himself but instead aimed his love on others, serving the poor like a humble servant.
“A man is what he is in the sight of God, and
nothing more. If the Lord should take from me
his treasure, which he has loaned me, what else
would remain to me except a body and soul?” st. Francis
What can we learn from these remarkable Saints?
These saints profoundly understood that true humility is the essential pathway to cultivating a healthy and positive self-esteem, one that relies on a deep trust in God rather than merely on oneself. It encompasses the awareness that all blessings and strengths originate from God, and that in recognizing this divine source, one also comes to realize that God is, in fact, everything.
“My God and My All.” St. Francis of Assisi
Mother Teresa kept a list of ways to cultivate humility for the sisters in her care.
1. Speak as little as possible about yourself.
2. Keep busy with your own affairs and not those of others.
3. Avoid curiosity (she is referring to wanting to know things that should not concern you.)
4. Do not interfere in the affairs of others.
5. Accept small irritations with good humor.
6. Do not dwell on the faults of others.
7. Accept censures even if unmerited.
8. Give in to the will of others.
9. Accept insults and injuries.
10. Accept contempt, being forgotten and disregarded.
11. Be courteous and delicate even when provoked by someone.
12. Do not seek to be admired and loved.
13. Do not protect yourself behind your own dignity. 14. Give in, in discussions, even when you are right. 15. Choose always the more difficult task.
To download Pdf click on image.
Mediterranean Fish Salad
Click on image for recipe
Saints Thérèse,Martin,Mother Teresa & Francis, Pray for us!
Keep at it!
Keep praying. Love the Lord.
Peace and Grace.
