St. Charles Borromeo: “The Grace of Yes” in Action

It’s very funny how work on “The Grace of Yes” has helped me to see the world through different eyes. I’m always on the lookout for “The Grace of Yes in Action”. I spotted it today in the life of St. Charles Borromeo. As we read in Pictorial Lives of the Saints (emphasis mine):

About fifty years after the Protestant heresy had broken out, our Lord raised up a mere youth to renew the face of His Church. In 1560 Charles Borromeo, then twenty-two years of age, was created cardinal, and by the side of his uncle, Pius IV, administered the affairs of the Holy See. His first care was the direction of the Council of Trent. He urged forward its sessions, guided its deliberations by continual correspondence from Rome, and by his firmness carried it to its conclusion. Then he entered upon a still more arduous work – the execution of its decrees. As Archbishop of Milan, he enforced their observance, and thoroughly restored the discipline of his see. He founded schools for the poor, seminaries for the clerics, and by his community of Oblates trained his priests to perfection. Inflexible in maintaining discipline, to his flock he was a most tender father. He would sit by the road-side to teach a poor man the Pater and Ave, and would enter hovels the stench of which drove his attendants from the door. During the great plague, he refused to leave Milan, and was ever by the sick and dying, and sold even his bed for their support. So he lived, and so he died, a faithful image of the Good Shepherd, up to his last hour giving his life for his sheep.

Our full and worthy “yes” demands that as believers, we look to give the very best parts of ourselves to the God who created us. By measure of that love, we can’t help but then look to serve the world around us. The Pictorial “reflection” for today feels like “Yes” marching orders to me:

Reflection – Daily resolutions to fulfill, at all cost, every duty demanded by God, is the lesson taught by Saint Charles; and a lesson we must learn if we would overcome our corrupt nature and reform our lives.

What is God asking of you today, and how are you giving your full and worthy “Yes”? How is your personal path to sainthood calling you to say “Yes”?

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