“What three things please God?”

If you were asked what three things please God and what three things displease God how would you answer?

With difficulty may be your first thought. Well, we have a wise woman from over 1400 years ago to help us answer these questions.

St Ita

The sixth century St Ita of Killeedy (feast day January 15th), is the best known Irish woman saint after St Brigid. Ita was a strong and influential woman who built up a Christian community. The Celtic church of Ita’s day took a different attitude to women from other churches of that time (and even of our own time!). Women were encouraged to become church leaders, and not just of women but of men also. Ita had considerable influence on the church of her day. She welcomed St Brendan ‘the voyager’ to her community for five years.

While he was living in Ita’s community Brendan asked Ita what were the three works most pleasing to God, and the three works most displeasing.

Ita answered that the three things that please God most are:

• Faith in God
• A simple life with a grateful spirit
• Generosity inspired by charity

And the three displeasing things, she said, are:

• Gossip that is unkind
• Harbouring resentment
• Confidence in money and wealth

Simple wisdom from a great woman of the sixth century. Do you agree with it?

TODAY…

Remember Ita’s words, and remember women of wisdom who have influenced you.

Pray to grow in faith, simplicity and generosity.

Act: Ita encourages us to be generous. Do a generous act today. For example giving to a needy cause.

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