August 11, 2020

St. Clare

Mt 19: 27-29

Then Peter said in reply, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

A Perfect Match

Years ago, my mom and her best friend visited me in New York City. We attended the morning talk show, “Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee.” Everyone loved the easy chemistry of the hosts, and we have a funny memory from that day: I won a contest! My prize? A hope chest. Regis groaned, “Why would a man need a hope chest?!” Kathie Lee didn’t miss a beat: “Boys have hopes too, Reeg!” The audience ate it up. When Regis Philbin passed away recently, we remembered what a perfect friendship he and Kathie Lee seemed to have.

The Church has had many “perfect matches.” Today is the Memorial of St. Clare, who died on this day in 1253. St. Clare seemed perfectly paired with St. Francis of Assisi. As a friend and co-founder of the Franciscan movement, Clare supported and journeyed with Francis. It must have been a real comfort for them both to have found a friend who understood the incredible experience of God entering their lives in such a new and profound way.

Jesus doesn’t tell his disciples they will have to manage without friends. Finding a kindred spirit in the world is always a gift. Tell a friend today, “I’m glad we’re in this together!”

—Joe Kraemer, SJ, is a scholastic of the Jesuits West Province who begins his second year of Theology at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA this fall.

Prayer

Go forth in peace,
for you have followed the good road.

Go forth without fear,
for he who created you
has made you holy,
has always protected you,
and loves you as a mother. 

Blessed be you, my God,
for having created me.

—St. Clare of Assisi