“Don't be sorry to be nothing, since then Jesus will have to be everything for you.” (Saint Josemaria, “The Way” at 596).
The other day, my parents invited us to their home for a recital.
Now, a recital is a strange and unfashionable sort of thing in modern terms, but when I was a little girl and studying music – classical piano and singing – my music teacher used to schedule a musical recital once or twice a year as a way to help us to become used to performing in front of other people and to enable us to work towards a goal.
Now, as I was growing up, although I tended to dread the inevitable recital, I was able to benefit from the experience immensely because it enabled me to learn a whole variety of skills… I learned to overcome stage fright and perfectionism. I learned to practice diligently without excuse as the performance would speak for itself. I learned to sit patiently and wait for my turn, silently listening to others in a respectful way. I learned to introduce myself and receive acknowledgement appropriately at the end of my performance. And I learned to encourage those others who were struggling, weak or afraid of the performance.
And when my parents invited us to their home for a recital, they were interested in watching their grandchildren perform. And so, each of the children prepared a performance (in collaboration with their mothers) according to their ability. The babies rolled around on the floor in dance to their favourite theme songs from their children shows. The younger children performed a dance. The older children played the piano. Some others played the bagpipes (yes – they are talented bagpipe musicians – believe it or not). There was just one child who felt underprepared and nervous and decided to sit out the performance that day.
And I have been thinking about all these things…
In “The Way” at 596, Saint Josemaria writes, “Don't worry if they see your defects; the offence against God and the scandal you may give; that is what should worry you. Apart from this, may you be known for what you are and be despised. Don't be sorry to be nothing, since then Jesus will have to be everything for you.”
And I have been reflecting on that as I reflect on the recital. You see, each child who performed prepared as much as they could. They were assisted by their mothers. And they were able to perform imperfectly but with great enthusiasm and quite a lot of nerves!
And this is like my spiritual life. I am very imperfect. I am very weak and I make lost and lots and lots of mistakes. And even so, I am able – with the help of my Guardian Angel and all the angels and Saints – to try to please my God. And just as some of the mothers stood with their children as they performed to make sure that they could feel a little stronger in the performance or to guide them – particularly if they were younger children – so too does my Guardian Angel stand with me.
And just as my one little nephew was unable to perform that day and yet we encouraged him, so too do our prayers encourage those who have fallen away from the Church.
And I have been thinking about these things today, because it seems that if I am unafraid of being nothing, then I can really rely on the assistance of the Angels and the Saints and I can – in pleasing my Blessed Lord – in fact learn many many things myself…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.