Being Heard - Catherine Of Siena - The One Year Women in Christian History Devotional

1347–80

Caterina di Giacomo di Bennicasa, known today as Catherine of Siena, was the twenty-fourth of twenty-five children. Chances are, not all of her siblings survived childhood, but even if she was one of the youngest of eight or nine living siblings, she probably had to fight to be heard. It’s no wonder she’s known for being outspoken.

As a Dominican nun, Catherine was confident that God was speaking to her and giving her messages to pass on to the pope. In fact, God used her more than once to speak to the powerful men in charge of the Catholic Church.

The fourteenth century saw serious divisions in the church, as the French cardinals took power and moved church headquarters to Avignon. But Catherine told Pope Gregory XI that the Lord wanted him to move back to Rome . . . and he listened to her.

That was not the only time she would tell a pope what she believed to be the truth. Gregory died within a year of returning to Rome. When problems arose with his successor, Urban VI, a rival pope was nominated. Again, Catherine went to the most powerful man in the church to tell him what she believed to be true—God did not want two popes. She seemed fearless.

Speaking an uncomfortable truth to someone powerful, even in the church, is scary. You might feel you don’t have the right because you’re not as high up as that person. You might fear the consequences or think your message won’t be taken seriously.

While Catherine of Siena seemed unafraid, she might have been concerned with these same things. Her truth-telling didn’t always achieve the desired results, but she faithfully conveyed what she believed God wanted her listeners to know. When you have to deliver a message you think someone would rather not hear, remember your part is just to speak the truth—in love. No matter what happens next, you’ve done what’s right.

Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.

Proverbs 23:23