Maxim Monday: Keep an ever free heart

Maxim Monday – Maxims 53 and 54

“Keep an ever free heart…”

…declare with a generous heart, never to yield in anything that would be against God’s will.

Since yesterday was Valentine’s Day, it seems appropriate to reflect on these two excerpts from Maxims 53 and 54. In calling us to “keep an ever free heart” it seems as if Fr. Médaille is inviting us to keep our hearts open to God’s desire for us. When things don’t seem to be going your way, let God sort it out.

In the very next Maxim Médaille uses the term “with a generous heart.”  He then goes on to encourage us "never to yield to anything that would go against God's will." Today we might say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” We all know that sometimes this is easier said than done. But we need to keep reminding ourselves that this is what we're called to do and be; and encouraging one another in living this Maxim.

During this past week, Sisters of St. Joseph from congregations across the country who do vocation outreach and those who minister with newer members have been meeting together. By newer members I mean women in the various stages of becoming a sister: pre-candidates, candidates, novices, and initially professed. The heart pictured here was one of the symbols used during our gathering.

In my personal prayer each morning I had been reflecting on these maxims. So when we were together, I couldn’t help but notice how these sisters live the message of these maxims. It’s been a real gift to be among these women and witness their zeal for work which they are about.