S5E6 - "Act and God will act!" ~ St. Joan of Arc

St. Joan reveals a fundamental characteristic of her spirituality. “Act and God will act!” Joan shouted to the Duke of Alençon as they prepared for battle at Jargeau. The Duke had been hesitant to take on the reinforced bastille in the Loire Valley. He was hesitant no more. We witnessed Joan of Arc’s sensational victory at Orléans that broke the back of the English siege. The English withdrew but retreated to other bastilles in the area. Joan has the wind at her back, and devotees are building. Her army - Charles VII’s army - is larger and more inspired than ever. Against the conventional wisdom of her captains, she persuades Charles to march to Reims for his coronation. However, to make that march, the Loire Valley must be cleared out to protect the French rear guard on the way. Charles puts the Duke of Alençon in charge of this operation with Joan of Arc at his side. They began at Jargeau. In this episode, I stress the fundamental nature of Joan of Arc’s spirituality. It is “Act and God will act.” This saying is remarkably close to her answer at Poitiers when asked why God needs an army to do his will. “The men will fight, and God will bring the victory.” Receiving Joan of Arc as she gives herself to us demands more than inspiring thoughts. Her influence demands action and a change in our day-to-day orientation toward God and the divine order.