St. Francis: Hoeing, Gandhi: Dying
“Saint Francis, hoeing his garden, was asked what he would do if he knew the world would end tomorrow. ‘Continue hoeing my garden,’ said the saint.”—Suzanne Guthrie, Synthesis Today, Quote for June 15, 2018, attributed to St. Francis.
my sacred space
I have often heard this phrase attributed to St. Francis and wondered what I would do if I knew I was about to die.
I have made writing every day a discipline for several years. But would I keep writing? Writing has become one of my best spiritual practices. As I look outside at trees, birds, and sky from the floor-to-ceiling window in my office, and my fingers hit the keyboard, I feel the peace that I hope is God’s presence.
My sacred space at home is in front of a large window at my desk in my office, which once was my daughter’s room when she was growing up. There I write and am surrounded by family pictures, icons, and remembrances of days of joy. There I would ask for prayers from the good pray-ers I know, especially the women in the Daughters of the King. I would also pray at other sacred spaces if I could go to them.
I certainly would spend as much time as possible on my last days with my family. I might entice my grandchildren to watch a movie with me, and then secretly watch them. I would want to be with my husband as much as possible. I would like my family and friends to know how much I loved them through my action and words. I would like to have a meal with my family and friends. I would look at old pictures to keep memories with me.
Of course, if everyone else knew the world was ending, it would be interesting to see how our paths might cross!
So, what does all this mean?
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever,” is attributed to Mahatma Gandhi.
I try to carry these two quotes by Gandhi and St. Francis with me each day, and share them with spiritual friends. The quotes are an excellent daily benchmark to know if we are doing the practices that bring us closer to God.
Gandhi’s quote is a paradox, an anchor metaphor for our life, a constant ambiguous paradox.
Each day, I try to spend more time meditating on quotes from authors like these, who help me realize my best connections to God, my true self, my neighbors, family, and friends.
Of course, often, the connections lead me to other places, and I pray to stay open to these new adventures.
Joanna https://www.joannaseibert.com/