Catherine of Siena: Await providence

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

“Await providence in the house of self-knowledge with the light of faith, as did the disciples. For the disciples remained in the house in perseverance, in watching, and in humble and continual prayer, awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit. The soul should remain fasting and watching with the eye of its intellect fastened on the doctrine of my truth.”

Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) in Little Talks with God (Brewster: Paraclete, 2001) 116. This is a wonderful little book of thoughtful devotional readings.

Today’s Scripture is posted on the banners here at Budapest Summit hosted by IHS Global. My hope for attendees and everyone reading this daily meditation is that God will stir our hearts to await providence, that is, God’s generous gift of the Holy Spirit, the power of mission.

We often think, albeit wrongly, that people and money make things happen in mission. We can get ahead of God and try to do things on our own with that perspective. We, as people, participate in God’s work empowered by the Holy Spirit, but it never becomes our work. It’s always God’s work.

Persisting in prayer, watching with anticipation, and awaiting the Holy Spirit are key responsibilities of God’s people linked to mission. To “await providence” is to resolve to trust in God’s generous provision of that which ignites mission, namely, the work of the Holy Spirit.

Father in heaven, as we labor in prayer, pour out your Holy Spirit at this Budapest Summit and on all those reading this around the world. Help our minds remain fastened on You as the driving force of mission. Hear our prayer in the name of Jesus as we await providence. Amen.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:26-28

“Among all the memorable events of Christ’s life, the most worthy of remembrance is that last banquet, the most sacred supper. Here not only the pascal lamb was presented to be eaten but also the immaculate Lamb, who takes away the sins of the world…

In this banquet the marvelous sweetness of Christ’s goodness shone forth when he dined at the same table and on the same plates as those poor disciples and the traitor Judas. The marvelous example of his humility shone forth when, girt with a towel, the King of Glory diligently washed the feet of the fisherman and even his betrayer.

The marvelous richness of his generosity was manifest when he gave those first priests, and as a consequence to the whole Church and the world, his most sacred body and his true blood as food and drink so that what was soon to be a sacrifice pleasing to God and the priceless price of our redemption…”

Giovanni di Fidanza (1221-1274) known more commonly as Bonaventure, in The Tree of Life, 16 (Mahwah: Paulist Press, 1978) 139 (italics mine).

Jenni and I have arrived safely in Hungary. The header photo features the view from our room at the Budapest Hilton on our first morning (we are giving thanks to God as we paid the AAA rate and got a free upgrade to this river view room as a frequent stayer). The parliament building is on the right with the Danube River flowing around Margaret Island on the left. It’s a frosty 21 degrees here.

I found this reading on the trip as I continue reading excerpts of famous Christian writings through church history. Why read Bonaventure? As a close companion to Francis of Assisi, Bonaventure had come to know Christ and wanted the whole world to know him. That’s the common trait of each person attending this Budapest Summit.

This post is also fitting as the summit begins tonight with a banquet, a gathering of about 90 men and women from 30-40 countries that use a program called “International Saline” to equip medical professionals to serve as witnesses for Christ around the world as the salt of the earth. The group has convened to consider ways for greater missional collaboration. Jenni and I are here to wash their proverbial feet.

The word marvelous appears three times and struck me as I read this excerpt. Because of the “marvelous sweetness of Christ’s goodness,” the “marvelous example of his humility,” and the “marvelous richness of his generosity” a few ordinary people (the first disciples of Jesus) were redeemed from sin and would make known the good news of salvation in Christ to the whole world.

Francis and Bonaventure had a part in making Christ known in their day, and we get to do the same in ours. That’s what we are praying for at this Summit. Jenni and I pray the attendees experience the marvelous generosity of Christ and the marvelous unity of the Holy Spirit to work together on mission, so that the marvelous goodness of God may be made known to the whole world.

And then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. Matthew 27:29

“How could I bear a crown of gold when the Lord bears a crown of thorns? And bears it for me!”

Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231) was born the daughter of Hungarian King Andrew II and Gertrude of Merania. Her mother was murdered in 1213 when she was just 6 years old. In 1221, at the age of 14, she was married to Ludwig. In 1223, she was inspired by the visit of Franciscan Friars, and resolved to follow Jesus like Francis of Assisi. Rather than live in splendor, she exchanged wealth and privilege for service the poor and the building of hospitals.

Another quote attributed to Elizabeth really moves Jenni and me as we travel to Budapest, Hungary, today (this post comes from London Heathrow en route): “We are made loveless by our possessions.” Think about it. When a person has abundance while many around them suffer, retaining what many need for survival is loveless. She learned to show God’s love through sharing and caring.

Elizabeth distributed the wealth of her family to care for the destitute when disease struck her region in 1226. Various sources note that she gave away the royal clothing and treasures to minister to many. Elizabeth set aside a crown of gold for Jesus, who wore a crown of thorns for her. One hospital she started cared for a thousand sick people. Sadly, her husband, Ludwig, died in 1227 of disease. She continued to minister to the sick and poor herself until 1231, when she died at the young age of 24. Her generous reputation is legendary because she imitated Jesus in her sacrificial living and giving.

What will people say about you and me? Will they report that we were made loveless or that we were generous with possessions?

Each of us is writing our own story through how we handle possessions.

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:9-13

“Show favor not only to relations and kin, or to the most eminent, be they leaders or rich men or neighbors or fellow-countrymen, but also to foreigners and to all who come to you. By fulfilling your duty in this way you will reach the highest state of happiness. Be merciful to all who are suffering violence, keeping always in your heart the example of the Lord who said: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” Be patient with everyone, not only with the powerful, but also with the weak.

Finally be strong lest prosperity lift you up too much or adversity cast you down. Be humble in this life, that God may raise you up in the next. Be truly moderate and do not punish or condemn anyone immoderately. Be gentle so that you may never oppose justice. Be honorable so that you may never voluntarily bring disgrace upon anyone. Be chaste so that you may avoid all the foulness of lust like the pangs of death.”

Stephen of Hungary (969 – 1038) in Admonitions to His Son, Emeric as recounted in part in Witness of the Saints: Patristic Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours by Milton Walsh (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2012) 548.

This post is fitting as it both reminds me of the favor I experienced with the National Christian Foundation Colorado executive board over the past two days and because this afternoon Jenni and I are flying to Budapest, Hungary. We are scheduled to arrive tomorrow to attend the International Saline Partnership Leadership Summit and minister among some 90 representatives from 30-40 countries. Pray for safe travel and fruitful ministry.

Today’s post contains powerful words from a father to a son. If you have a son, perhaps share it with him, though it represents sound advice for all of us. Stephen of Hungary says to choose a pathway of humility and gentleness because both prosperity and adversity can destroy a person. He also wisely advises that we show favor to everyone. Such generosity of spirit is only possible with God’s help. Let’s ask for it together.

Father in heaven, whether at home or abroad, wherever you lead us, shape us by your Holy Spirit into people who show favor to everyone whether family or foreigner. May this be evident toward those who are sinners and not merely the righteous so that our lives exhibit your love and grace to the world. Hear my prayer in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, who modeled this way of missional living for us. Amen.

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17

“Behold, my brother, we have shared the same destiny, ploughing the same furrow; I now fall in the field at the end of my day. I know that you greatly love your mountain; but do not for the sake of the mountain give up your work of teaching.”

Cyril (c. 827-869), a monk, on his deathbed, to his older brother, Methodius (c. 815-884), a missionary teacher and bishop. Together Cyril and Methodius were brothers from Thessalonica (a.k.a. Salonika). They would become known as the “Enlighteners of the Slavs” as they followed God’s call to serve as apostles to the Slavs.

There are not many sacred writings from the era known as the dark ages, but the story of two Thessalonian brothers encouraged me. These “last words” of Cyril move me greatly, as recounted in a recent book by William J. Bennett in Tried by Fire: The Story of Christianity’s First Thousand Years (Nashville: Nelson Books, 2016) 362.

Both Cyril and Methodius loved monastic life back at Holy Mountain monastery near the Black Sea in the northern part of Turkey. Though they both felt the calling to serve as missionary teachers among the Slavs, Methodius could have bailed on the vision with the death of his brother at the age of 42. Cyril urged him from his deathbed not give up the work for God and run back to a comfortable place (the mountain)!

Why cite these brothers today, and what does this have to do with generosity?

God generously gives us brothers with whom to co-labor in God’s work. I am profoundly thankful for my older brother, David Hoag, who is ministering in Jamaica this weekend. Thankfully his wife, Joanna, is with him. They can encourage and support each other.

I am also grateful for my National Christian Foundation Colorado brothers, with whom I am on retreat in the mountains. We share a deep passion for helping people in Colorado to understand biblical principles that inspire generosity and to grasp how asset-based giving positions them to maximize the stewardship of God’s resources for building His kingdom.

As each of us lives the journey mapped out for us, one of God’s greatest and most generous gifts to us is brothers and sisters with whom to plow. When God seemingly snatches these people from our lives by death or other circumstances, we must not give up our work for God and run back to comfortable places, but persevere knowing that God’s providence will sustain us like it did Methodius, who persevered and would go on to lead many Slavs to faith in Jesus Christ.

You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit. Job 10:12

“Be occupied with the books of God’s providence intensely…Let thy mind be strengthened by them and though wilt acquire enlightened impulses from their subtlety; then thy mind will go its way with a clear consciousness towards the aim of understanding…Read in the two Testaments which God has destined for the instruction of the whole world, so that it should be dazzled by the power of His providence in every generation and be enveloped in wonder…

Behold, how many signs of grace happen to a man from providence. Sometimes a man will be on his knees at the time of prayer, his hands spread out or stretched towards heaven, his face looking to the cross, and so to speak, his whole emotion and mind stretched towards God in supplication; and while absorbed in these beseechings and pains at this time, a sudden fountain of delight will spring from his heart…”

Isaac of Nineveh (c. 630-700) Mystic Treatises by Isaac of Nineveh, translated by A. J. Wensinck (CreateSpace: 2012) 34, 40-41.

Today and tomorrow I am facilitating a spiritual discernment retreat with the National Christian Foundation Colorado executive board in Eagle, CO. The components of this retreat are solitude, Scripture, sharing, and supplication. We are getting away for about 24 hours to spend time with the LORD together.

Isaac of Nineveh reminded me today that God’s generosity flows so abundantly that every generation can trust in God’s providence to meet us in silence, to teach us from His Word, to enlighten us in community do His work, and to meet us in our supplications. Do we tap into this infinite supply of goodness?

Pray with me that coming out of this discernment retreat that the NCFC executive board will not have a strategic plan but spiritual clarity that will shape the work of NCFC, not because of me or anything I do, but because we have been dazzled by the power of God’s providence.

As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 1 Kings 11:4

“Let those whom temporal adversity humiliates take joy from hope of an eternal inheritance, since divine providence would not curb them in order to educate them under the rule of discipline . . .

Those, therefore, who in respect of the temporal things which they covet, are wearied with the labour of adversity are to be admonished to consider carefully how for the most part even the righteous, when temporal power exalts them, are caught by sin as in a snare . . .

Who then can without harm seek wealth, or power, or glory, if they proved harmful even to him who had them unsought? Who in the midst of these things shall be saved without the labour of a great contest, if he who had been prepared for them by the choice of God was disturbed among them by the intervention of sin?

They are to be admonished to consider that Solomon, who after so great wisdom is described as having fallen even into idolatry, is not said to have had any adversity in this world before his fall; but the wisdom that had been granted him entirely left his heart, because not even the least discipline of tribulation had guarded it.”

Gregory the Great (c. 540-604) in Pastoral Rule 3.26. Gregory received the label “the Great” because he was a deep Christian thinker and a prolific writer.

As you may recall, “providence” is my word for 2017. I am tracing it through church history linked to generosity. We have made it to the seventh century.

Here Gregory urges those experiencing temporal difficulty to adopt the “rule of discipline” and not seek after wealth to save them, but trust in “divine providence” as their deliverance.

It’s fascinating that idolatry marked the demise of the wisest man who ever lived, Solomon. Gregory advises us that we cannot “without harm seek wealth.” Paul echoes that wisdom in the NT (cf. 1 Timothy 6:6-10).

What’s the lesson for us today?

We must avoid (at all cost!) seeking after wealth as the answer to our problems, lest it betray us. Instead, seek after God (cf. Matthew 6:33). Let that be our “rule of discipline” for we can trust in “divine providence” to care for us.

God’s got us! He’s got you. He’s got me. Let’s live like we believe it!

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. Acts 4:32

“Let all things be common to all, as it is written. And let no one call or take to himself anything as his own. But if anyone should be found to indulge this most baneful vice, and, having been admonished once and again, doth not amend, let him be subjected to punishment.”

Benedict of Nursia (480-547) in The Rule of St. Benedict 33. If you have never read Benedict’s Rule it’s worth reading. It represents what he determined it meant to follow Jesus in community about five centuries after Christ.

At this Stewardship Summit wraps up (some fifteen centuries later), we have reminded each other that acting like owners of that which we possess leads to disaster. Lest “this most baneful vice” destroy us, we resolve to view things as belonging to God, which means they are gifts to be enjoyed and shared as common to all.

Just in case you think that one person determining to live this way can’t make a difference, Benedict of Nursia founded the Benedictine order of monks who have been known for their generous sharing ever since.

“Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” Acts 20:32-35

“[The Apostle Paul] left us a weighty example in his manner of life, as he testifies that he not only wrought what would supply his own bodily wants alone, but also what would be sufficient for the needs of those who were with him: those, I mean, who, being taken up with necessary duties, had no chance of procuring food for themselves with their own hands. And as he tells the Thessalonians that he had worked to give them an example that they might imitate him, so here too he implies something of the same sort when he says: I have showed you all things, how that so labouring you ought to support the weak, whether in mind or body; i.e., that we should be diligent in supplying their needs, not from the store of our abundance, or money laid by, or from another’s generosity and substance, but rather by securing the necessary sum by our own labour and toil.”

John Cassian (360-435) in Institutes, Book 10, Chapter 18 “That the Apostle wrought what he thought would be sufficient for him and for others who were with him.” What a joy to participate in the Stewardship Summit in Phoenix this week! Like the Apostle Paul, the speakers and participants are peers that have served as weighty examples to me.

John Cassian would encourage each of us to be like Paul. Are you a weighty example? Does your life challenge others to work hard, to care for your personal needs as well as the needs of others? Do you urge those who can work to get to work? In 2017 and beyond, let us commit to serving as weighty examples so that others will be inspired to live, give, serve, and love like Jesus when they look at us.

“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. Matthew 23:2-3

“Do not let your deeds belie your words, lest when you speak in church someone may say to himself, ‘Why do you not practice what you preach?'”

Jerome of Stridon (374-419) in a letter as recounted in Parade of Faith: A Biographical History of the Christian Church, ed. Ruth A. Tucker (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011) 85.

I am flying to Phoenix this morning for the Stewardship Summit slated for 11-13 January 2017. It’s a great “iron sharpens iron” event with faithful fellow servants in the Christian stewardship space.

Why attend this event and speak on one of the days? Each of us must constantly be growing and learning in our stewardship journey so our lives exhibit not the kind of generosity that is celebrated in our culture, but the kind of generosity that was modeled by Christ. In the words of St. Jerome, we do this so our practice matches our preaching.

Ironically, Jesus told His disciples not to follow the example of religious leaders of his day. Why? They were hypocrites. Are you a hypocrite? Would Jesus tell people not to follow you? When our words align with what God’s word teaches and our actions match up, people will follow us as we follow Christ. Just yesterday, a dear friend graciously said, “Gary, I am following you, as you follow Christ” (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1). Humbling. No pressure! Only possible with God’s help.

God help each of us practice what we preach with regard to generosity lest we be labeled hypocrites who lead people astray and bring dishonor to your name.