Meditation on the Painting of Saint Isidore

In every honest state of life men are able to become Saints. You find in your almanac holy kings, subjects, citizens, soldiers, shepherds and laborers, married people and virgins. Our own experience teaches us that bright virtues shine sometimes in palaces, and sometimes in hovels. The Holy Church commemorates, in these days, a Saint who tilled the soil, and, on this account, is held in great veneration by the farming community. Let us, for our edification and instruction, meditate awhile on his picture. In it Saint Isidore is represented:

I. His hands lifted up toward heaven
II. At his feet a spade
III. At his side holy Angels managing the plow

I. THE HANDS LIFTED UP TOWARD HEAVEN

This denotes:

1. In general the celestial spirit.

a. The earth is not our home. Our home is above the stars, "that Jerusalem, which is above, is free; which is our mother." Gal. iv, 26. Therefore the desire of our hearts should be directed toward heaven. "Mind the things that are above, not the things that are on the earth." Col. iii, 2. This desire for heaven is intimated in the picture of Saint Isidore, by his joined hands. They are directed heavenward; and as his hands, so his heart. Isidore sought God in all things, devoting to him all his thoughts and offering up to him all his words and deeds.

b. What do we seek? Heaven or earth; everlasting or perishable things; the Creator or the creature? Are we of the number of those of whom Saint Paul complains that they "mind earthly things"? Philip. iii, 19. Oh! let us use this world, as if we used it not: for the figure of this world passeth away. I Cor. vii, 31.

2. Especially devout prayer.

a. Prayer is the nourishment of the soul; it is the dew from heaven. "As wax, when exposed to the rays of the sun, becomes white, so the soul, who in prayer approaches the sun of divine justice, increases in sanctity and purity." Louis of Granada. Saint Isidore was a man of prayer.

I. Let us treasure the word of the Lord: "Watch ye and pray" (Mk. xiii, 33), and the exhortation of the Apostle: "Be instant in prayer." Col. iv, 2. Many say: "I find no time for prayer." Saint Isidore was also a hard-working man; still he found time for prayer. If you be of good will you will easily find some time for your morning and evening prayer. Besides, when at work, remember the divine presence, and renew frequently your good intentions. "Do all things for the glory of God." I Cor. x, 31.

II. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SPADE AT HIS FEET.

It signifies:

1. The toilsome way of making a livelihood.

a. "Cursed is the earth in thy work; with labor and toil shalt thou eat thereof all the days of thy life. Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return to the earth." Gen. iii, 17. Saint Isidore toiled hard, not for himself, but in the service of another.

b. Have you not often complained of your hard work? Remember, God himself placed the spade in your hands; and we cannot but bear the burden of the day and the heat, until the great day of rest approaches. God did not lead his Saints a different way to heaven. Therefore let us cheerfully work for the glory of God.

2. Pious industry.

a. Our daily labor, when done with resignation to Gods holy will, and with holy love, is meritorious for heaven. "Labor is well paid for; we earn by it the glory of eternity." Saint Jerome. Saint Isidore gained heaven by his industry. He worked with a good intention,--for the love of God; and with great diligence,--as in the presence of God.

b. On examining our conscience, we find that many of our works will bring no fruit for heaven, because only selfishness prompted us to perform them; they were not sanctified by having our spiritual eyes turned toward heaven. Let it be otherwise for the future. Whatsoever you do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that you shall receive of the Lord the reward of inheritance. Col. iii, 23.

III. THE HOLY ANGELS ENGAGED IN PLOWING

They remind us:

1. Of the blessing of heaven.

a. Isidores master saw frequently holy angels plowing at his side. Where angelic hands labor, the divine blessing is sure to come. Prosperity increased manifestly under the management of the Saint, so that he could say to his master in the words of Jacob once spoken to Laban: "Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how great thy possession hath been in my hands. Thou hadst but little before I came to thee, and now thou art become rich: and the Lord hath blessed thee at my coming." Gen. xxx, 29.

b. God is anxious to bless you, too, if you place no obstacle in His way. God does not send His angels into the houses of the quarrelsome, covetous, unchaste, etc. We read: "The innocent in hands, and clean of heart, he shall receive a blessing from the Lord." Ps. xxiii, 4. "Want is from the Lord in the house of the wicked: but the habitations of the just shall be blessed." Prov. iii, 33. Banish therefore sin and vice out of your house, and keep the divine commandments, and the precepts of the Church.

2. Of the interrelationship of holy Angels with men.

a. This truth is contained in the Christian faith. "He hath given his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. In their hands they shall bear thee up; lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." Ps. xc, 11. Holy Scripture records many instances of this loving intercourse of the holy Angels with men.

b. How great a consolation! Angels surround us, Angels protect us, Angels assist us at our daily work. "They are faithful, wise, mighty. Why should we tremble? Therefore let us follow them, and attach ourselves to them!" - Saint Bernard. In a special manner let us venerate our Guardian Angel, and, through its intercession, we shall obtain the abundance of heavenly blessing.