This is another one of those themes that seems to come up again and again in the stories of so many saints. St. Clare had a particular devotion to the Blessed Eucharist. It is natural that someone who nurtures a close personal relationship with Jesus would be passionate about receiving His body and blood.
But Clare took that passion to another level. A couple of sources share a story that illustrates how much faith she put in the power of the Eucharist. They say that an army of Saracens from Frederick II were about to attack Assisi in 1224. Clare, although she was very sick, took the Blessed Sacrament out to the wall where the enemies could see it, and there she said this prayer: “Does it please you, O God, to deliver into the hands of these beasts the defenseless children I have nourished with your love? I beseech you, dear Lord, protect these whom I am now unable to protect.” (here, para 9, and here, para 10) Then she reassured her sisters that they shouldn’t be afraid anymore, and “a sudden fright struck the attackers and they fled as fast as they could without harming anyone in Assisi.”
I know a lot of people who have strong faith in the Lord, but I don’t think I know anyone who would face an attacking army carrying only the Eucharist. That is the epitome of surrender to God’s will. Can you imagine having that much faith?
The 23rd Psalm has always been one of my favorites, but I’ve always felt like verse 4 was just a little bit out of my reach: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.” (Psalms 23:4) It seems that St. Clare could pray this Psalm with her whole heart, every line of it.
Actually, the next line might be the relevant one for her story: “You set a table before me in front of my enemies.” (Psalms 23:5) I wonder if she had that particular verse in mind when she came up with the idea of taking the Holy Eucharist out to the wall to face the enemies.
Do you have a favorite Psalm or any favorite verse of Scripture that inspires you? As I said, I have always loved the 23rd Psalm. Similarly, at the beginning of my journey as the Everyday Catholic Woman, I found a new favorite in the story of Mary Magdalene. In John 20:16, the Resurrected Jesus calls her by name and she suddenly sees Him and knows it is Him. I find so much inspiration in that moment. It reveals the real relationship we all strive to have with our Lord and Savior in the understanding of what it means for Him to call us by name. For me, it also offers so much hope that He chose her to be the first person to witness Him resurrected.
I don’t expect that I’ll ever have the kind of faith that St. Clare had, to be able to face an approaching army because of my faith in God. But it certainly sets an example for me to strive for greater surrender to God’s will. This journey into the lives of the saints has inspired me to work on my faith in that way. I hope some of you are feeling that, too.
Dear God, thank you for the inspiration you put in our lives. Help us to grow a little more every day in our trust and faith that You will provide for us. Teach us to surrender to Your will.