Today I was learning about Dorothy Day, an extraordinary woman of faith of the 20th century. She was American, with a heart for social action all of her adult life. She converted to Roman Catholicism as an adult, and her literal interpretation of the bible fueled her social action. She took the words of the bible and put them into practice, with the commandment to ‘love neighbour’ forming a foundation for her actions.
I was struck by how her spirituality was woven into ordinary life – she lived out what she believed. Her motherhood shaped her ministry, and her everyday acts of care became profound expressions of faith. She started a soup kitchen, founded Houses of Hospitality, and welcomed everyone, anyone in need, showing how Christ can be seen in the face of every ‘sibling’ around our table, no matter their background or story.
I was especially moved because she carried a mother-heart, something I feel I also carry. The strength and love we carry in nurturing and caring for others can itself be a ministry. Her prayer, “Lord, what would you have me do?”, is simple yet costly. It’s a question that carries risk, remaining open to being the answer to her own prayers or the prayers of others. It’s a willingness to be inconvenienced for the sake of loving God and loving neighbour.
Faith doesn’t have to be heroic to be profound. Sometimes it lives in the ordinary ways we care, share, and show up—with our hearts, our hands, and our tables. Perhaps this is the essence of living spiritually: asking, “Lord, what would you have me do?”, and then being ready to answer, no matter the cost.
I may write more about Dorothy Day – I will be reading more of her work – but this evening I will leave you with a quote that stuck with me:
God meant things to be much easier than we have made them to be.
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