St. Francis: Hoeing, Gandhi: Dying
my office
“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.
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 a daily 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 was once our daughter’s room when she was growing up. There, I write surrounded by family pictures, icons, and remembrances of days of joy. I would ask for prayers for 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 visit them.
I certainly would spend as much time as possible in 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 want my family and friends to know how much I love them through my actions 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, seeing how our paths might cross would be interesting!
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 carry these quotes from Gandhi and St. Francis daily and share them with spiritual friends. The quotes are an excellent daily benchmark for assessing whether 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 us connect with God, our true selves, our neighbors, family, and friends.
Of course, often, the connections lead us to other places, and we pray to stay open to these new adventures.
