What is the secret of the saints? Why do they seem to be so happy and fulfilled in spite of many obstacles, challenges and attacks? As we learn more of the life of Mother Franziska we see that she had an intimate relationship with Jesus and Mary.
She nourished this life in the spirit with the Sacred Scriptures, the Eucharist and daily meditation. Surely her life and work testifies to constant happiness and success. The opposite is true. In her own words we hear of disappointments in those she relied on for guidance, attacks by enemies, doubts and failures besides ill health.
Intimacy with the Lord has moments of supreme, inexpressible joy and consolation, but more often is uneventful. It develops slowly over a lifetime and has times of darkness. Those who remember the consolation and travel with courage and patience through the darkness discover how Jesus delights in surprising his friends. The key is perseverance. Those who are addicted to pleasure and good feelings run and turn to other things in an attempt to re-capture the joy that can only come from the Holy Spirit and on God’s time.
Mother Franziska surely asked at times, as we also do, “Why am I hindered from doing this good thing? Why are my gifts frustrated and my wings clipped?” Often it is the good people in our lives who become our obstacles… our superiors, our parents, our friends. I think it is the Lord Himself trying to remind us that all true gifts are from him and for service to the Church and world. If we were unhindered we could easily be deceived that it is our own talent and intelligence at work. It is in the “holy darkness” that we are reminded that all we have is from the Lord and all happiness and fulfillment comes in doing His will. Jesus is waiting to surprise and delight again the one sitting in loneliness and darkness. He tells us, “Do not be afraid of the dark”, as promised in Isaiah 41:13 He holds our hand and helps us.
