Today in the book In Caelo et in Terra, we read about a really cool saint named Isidore. He was from Seville, which we now know as Spain, but at the time it was part of the fallen Roman empire ruled by the Visigoths. This is a fascinating part of history, especially since the ruler of the Visigoths, a guy named Reccared (what a cool name!) became Catholic and the part of the former Roman empire around the Iberian peninsula became very ripe missionary ground. Isidore and his saint brother Leander worked toward sharing the gospel with the people of what is now Spain.
But that's only the beginning. Turns out that Isidore was SUPER smart. He learned about everything, and wrote voluminous books on virtually every subject. He was like a Catholic Bishop version of Leonardo de Vinci. The nuns who wrote In Caelo said he was like the medieval version of the internet. He was later canonized AND made a doctor of the church. What a cool saint! You can read more about him here.
Isidore was incredibly able and intelligent, and could have done anything with his life. And he chose the best road, becoming a saint (which we're all called to do!) and using his vast intellect for the glory of God.
Wherever we find ourselves on the spectrum from idiot to genius, we should learn a valuable lesson from St Isidore and use our gifts to benefit God's kingdom. That's where we'll find the greatest joy and satisfaction.
God, thanks for the remarkable and interesting example of St Isidore of Seville. St Isidore, pray for us.
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