This woman therefore grew in exceptional virtues and by the fame of her good deeds drew to herself from all the provinces of Ireland inestimable numbers of people of both sexes who willingly made their votive offerings. On the firm foundation of faith she established her monastery in the open expanses of the planes of Mag Liffe, which is the head of almost all the churches of Ireland and holds the place of honor among all the monasteries of Ireland.
– Cogitosus, The Life of St. Brigit the Virgin
Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
– Matthew 4.24, 25
Fame
Cogitosus does not give us many details of Brigit’s life and growth. According to the anonymous Irish Life of Brigit, she had a difficult home life. Her mother was a slave, and her father was unsympathetic to Brigit’s desires to visit her. She worked with her father’s cattle and, at a very early age, began to show indications of being in possession of the gift of prophecy. This made her stepmother (foster mother) jealous, and she persuaded her father to sell her into slavery, which he did. But the Lord delivered her and returned her to her home, so that the king who had purchased her recognized that she was not a woman to be enslaved.
This was the beginning of her fame, as word of her deliverance and her prophetic powers began to spread.
Rather than marry, Brigit took the veil and became a nun, and shortly thereafter her many good works began to be known and to multiply. Brigit’s fame increased because she did good, not because she looked good or spoke “good”. She did good, just like Jesus did, and people flocked to her for the opportunity of receiving some good work from her hand.
Many today seek fame, but the fame they receive is never enough. Brigit did not seek fame, but it came to her by the grace of God, that grace might reach to others for praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.
Desperate for something good
As long as I can remember, people have been looking for that which they considered good. They would hear reports of some-thing good, even if it was only some material possessions, and they would be quick to have it. Or they would be told about a really “good” film, and off they’d go to the theater. Wealth, many believed, is good, perhaps the greatest good, and thus must be sought above all else. Actually, wealth or things or experiences are only stepping-stones to what many in our age consider the quintessential good: happiness.
And happiness is a good thing, indeed. The first Psalm begins (translating literally), “Oh, how completely happy is the man…” Complete and lasting goodness and happiness are available, but we must seek them in the right place. Brigit concealed her face with a veil, a symbol of shutting out the pleasures of the world to seek the goodness of God and full happiness in Him. Then she lived that out, seeking God diligently through prayer, meditation, and His Word, and giving herself away for the good and happiness of others. By so doing, emptying herself of herself, Brigit was filled with the goodness and happiness of God, and thus always had a ready touch of grace for any who came to her from every place.
Our generation is desperate for something good, but our greatest good is in knowing the Lord, and our greatest happiness is in giving ourselves away in service to others. But we must prepare well for such works, drawing strength, wisdom, and direction from being with Him in His Word and prayer. And then, as we give ourselves for the good and happiness of others, we will know His Presence with us and be filled with His joy.
Such, at least, was the experience of Brigit, as she followed the example of Jesus, doing good works as an expression of the Kingdom of God.
For Reflection
1. What opportunities for doing good to others will you have today?
2. How should you prepare for these opportunities?Psalm 119.30-32
(Festal Song: Rise Up, O Men of God)
I choose the way of truth; Your judgments I proclaim.
Your testimonies I embrace, LORD, put me not to shame!
Command my course, O LORD; Your gracious truth impart.
I cling to You and know You will enlarge my seeking heart.
T. M. Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: In our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” we continue looking at ways the Law of God applies to our lives. This week our Read Moore podcast wraps up our consideration of the question, What in Heaven Is Jesus Doing on Earth?; and our Crosfigell teaching letter continues our study of the life of Brigit, a contemporary of Brendan. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
