St. Clare and Our Idols

In March, we celebrate St. Patrick and look to his example of living for God. Ok, let’s be honest, we like green beer too! We often overlook St. Clare of Assisi who followed in St. Patrick’s footsteps by giving up her riches to live in poverty. Her story will inspire and encourage you to look within to see what you can let go of to fully love and worship God.

St. Clare lived in Assisi in the early 1200s. She was born into a noble family and lived an affluent life. Clare was surrounded by opulent clothes, a beautiful home and lavish parties, yet she had an ache in her heart that couldn’t be filled with anything in the world. Even at a young age, Clare knew there was more to life and envied St. Patrick and his minimalist lifestyle. 

St. Clare left everything behind and descended from her family’s home on the hill to offer her life in service of God. She traded in her fancy clothes for a plain brown tunic. She cut her long beautiful hair and wore a veil to show she was no longer part of the world, but fully committed to God. 

St. Clare’s descent from a wealthy lifestyle to one of simplicity and dependance on God is a great example of what you and I are called to do during the Lenten season. It is easy to place the idols in our lives on pedestals that stand above for all to see and for you and I to worship. Lent is a time to ask God to reveal the idols, beliefs or desires in your heart that are placed above him. Similar to St. Clare leaving behind the world, during Lent you can descend to the foot of the cross leaving behind anything that separates you from God. When you encounter trials, suffering or are at the lowest point in your life, it is there that you often encounter God’s love. It is in lowering yourself that you often find freedom, peace and joy!

When you leave the world behind you can embrace the purpose that God has given you! Like St. Clare, you as a woman have a special and unique role in the church. God is calling you to follow in St. Clare’s footsteps to love, serve and share the Good News with all those you encounter in your daily life. 

St. Clare said, 

“Let the love you have in your hearts be shown outwardly in your deeds.”

Jennie Guinn is a Catholic speaker, Life Coach, Podcaster, Weekly Radio Show Host on Nashville Catholic Radio and Radio Maria USA, and the founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle.