The Instincts of Love

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Scholastica, the twin sister of St. Benedict and founder and prioress of a monastery of nuns at Plombariola, Italy. Twins are said to have a special bond, and it appears that Scholastica and Benedict remained close throughout their lives, setting aside time for a day-long private visit once a year. St. Gregory the Great, in his Dialogues, relays the most well-known story of St. Scholastica—how, in the year 543, as her yearly visit with Benedict was concluding, she asked him to extend his stay overnight so they could continue praying and conversing. Benedict, not wishing to break his own rule, refused, insisting he must return to his cell at his monastery. Scholastica then began to pray, and soon a fierce storm commenced outside the guest house where they were staying. Benedict had no choice but to spend the night, and three days later, Scholastica died.

This story reminds me of a statement by Mohandas Gandhi: “Love is the strongest force the world possesses, and yet it is the humblest imaginable.” Scholastica’s love for her brother and trust in God unleashed a mighty storm that served the ends of love … all as the result of a humble (though confident) prayer. Her love overrode Benedict’s determination to follow the rules, despite the fact that his 63-year old sister (an advanced age for the times) likely was showing signs of frailty and infirmity. Her wisdom in following the instincts of love and asking God for extra time with her brother likely was a comfort to Benedict after her death. May St. Scholastica guide us in following the instincts of love, so we too may humbly but confidently unleash the strongest force the world possesses for those who are greatly in need of it!