Beautiful, hidden, meaningful

A wealthy woman once gave St. Josemaria Escriva a very costly emerald, and suggested he use it to adorn the front of his chalice. What glory it would give to God, she said, for all to see such a beautiful jewel as he said the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

What did he do? He put it on the inside of the tabernacle, on the ceiling, where no one could see it but Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Something so beautiful, he said, need only be seen by the Lord.

I find this story inspiring as a homemaker. I wonder sometimes what difference folding the kids' diapers makes, or what the point is in me sweeping a floor that's just going to get covered in cooked rice and who knows what else less than an hour later. Yet all these thankless jobs, so mundane and unseen, I think, are even more beautiful to God precisely because He is the only one to see them.

"So whatever you do it all for the glory of God."
1 Corinthians 10:31

Wishing you all a happy weekend!

Comments

  1. ElenaSeptember 9, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    I had a very similar aha! moment yesterday in regard to cleaning up after the dog, yes, the dog. Whenever I am left with the icky task, I spend most of it cursing the dog and his excrement and saying things like: I never intended to have a yard that has poo in it! The dog wasn't my idea! etc. etc. And then I suddenly heard those words: Do it as unto me. Just pick up that shovel and scoop and stop complaining and your feelings will change. And they have already begum to change mostly prompted by acknowledging how much safer the dog makes our house and how wonderfully protective he is of his family. If he helps me sleep better at night, I can shovel for him.

    ReplyDelete
  2. sorchaSeptember 10, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    Thanks Jenna :) I needed to hear that today :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousSeptember 10, 2011 at 11:37 PM

    Hmm. Something for me to consider, as I am very frustrated by cleaning house because no-one cares about it but me. My husband and children couldn't care less (they would much rather a tasty meal if I am going to decide how to spend my domestic time) and I often wonder, why do more than the bare minimum if I am just doing it for me? Because I am the only one in the house who cares. But, as you imply, maybe I'm not.

    Does this even make sense?

    Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jenna CraineSeptember 12, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    Rebecca it totally makes sense. That's the issue with me, too. My husband and child (the only child who eats solids now) are pretty oblivious to messes usually but really enjoy my cooking. But after a day of cleaning up what no one cares about, all I want to do sometimes is cook a frozen pizza!

    Interestingly, though, my two-year old is beginning to ask me, daily, to clean his room! "It's too dirty!" he says. Keep in mind the only thing done there is sleeping... It's NOT dirty. I hope this words leaves his vocabulary soon.

    ReplyDelete

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