“If you’re content with being yourself, you will become more than yourself.”  Luke 8:14 (The Message)

“You served as a midwife, and you brought babies into the world.  You nurtured children and you clothed those in need.”  The Troparion of Matuschka Olga

“Matuschka Olga?  I thought we were talking about Mary Magdalene?” 

Well, we were and are.  But I wanted to introduce you to St. Olga of Alaska, recently canonized by the Orthodox Church. 

Matuschka, born in 1916, was married to the postmaster of the small village of Kwethluk.  Through Olga’s humble faith and gentle spirit, her husband came to be a follower of Christ, and later a priest.  Matushka had 13 children, eight of whom survived into adulthood.  She was known for her personal piety, for her prayers, for the help and support she gave to other women, some of whom had been abused, and to children.  She was most renowned for her humble spirit.  She died in November 1979.  It is said that at her funeral birds, unheard of in Alaska at this time of year, followed her body from the church to her burial place.  In the forty plus years since her death people, especially women, have come to venerate her as one who brought healing to women during her life, and continues to bestow healing following.

As I consider Olga, I think to myself, “Yes, it seems that she was a faithful, humble, follower of Christ who did good things for other people.  But she didn’t perform any miracles or do anything special.  A Mother Teresa she was not.”  That is exactly the point . . . and brings us back to Mary.

There is a temptation to elevate and then try and emulate others for what they have done, not for who they are.  In a culture captivated by celebrities, infatuated with the rich and famous, enamored with the so-called stars, it’s grounding to remember that women like Mary, Matuschka, and yes, Mother Teresa, were nothing “special.”  They were not trying to gain notoriety, or garner a large following of fans, but rather were faithful followers of Christ.  They exemplified in their own lives the life of Christ that was being lived in and through them.

Mary followed Jesus.  She followed him throughout his ministry, making only an occasional appearance. She followed him as he was betrayed.  She kept vigil as he was crucified.  She prepared his body for burial.  Then she went to the tomb early on that third day having no idea that she would be the first to see the risen Lord.  She emulated in her own life what he exemplified in his:  humility and faithfulness.

Matuschka was similar to Mary in that she merely made it her life to humbly give of herself to others, and in the process follow Christ.

This is the pattern, not only for women, but for men.  It is human nature to want to elevate and venerate these saints of old as being almost superhuman in their belief, in fact what made them worthy of honor is the fact that they were just like you and me.

And that is important for us to remember, important for me to remember.  I have spent a good deal of time trying to “do” something great for God, trying to “be” something unique, trying to offer something up that indicates my dedication and devotion to God.  But God doesn’t want or need that.  Christ never called anyone to worship him, he only calls us to follow in a spirit of gentle and faithful humility.

That is, I believe, what makes Mary and Matushka so worthy of our admiration.  They were regular people, just like you and me.  They didn’t try to be or do anything special, other than themselves.  In being themselves, they experienced what it was like to be with God. And that, I am convinced, was more than enough.

I leave you with this quote from Thomas Merton.

There is only one problem upon which all my existence, my peace, and my happiness depend:  To discover myself in discovering God.  If I find Him I will find myself, and if I find my true self I will find Him.”