Joan of Arc was a simple girl with no education. She could neither read nor write, but she loved the Lord God and was faithful to His commands. Unlike St Bernadette, who comes a bit later in French history, both girls began having both voice and presence known to them in their young teenage years.
History reports the notion these girls were thought to have a mental disorder. The authorities could not believe poor girls could not possibly be listening to the voices of the Holy Ones. Over time, the idea that they were crazy takes years; in Joan of Arc’s case, about 400 years to move from heretic (nut case) to saint.
We know Bernadette was listening to Mother Mary. But it is not disclosed who Joan of Arc was listening to. As you might have guessed, Archangel Michael was one of the voices helping direct her in superior battle plans. I do see she did interact with God directly with her obedience and humility; she could hear the voice of God.
She was likely not so tough, but she had the courage and followed her mission. I say likely not tough, she is made to look like a warrior, but she never ‘fights’ a battle but rather carries a banner into battle. She was wounded twice, with shoulder and thigh injuries.
She did know about purity. She would rage, imagine a teenage girl screaming rahhh and chasing the prostitutes who followed the army away, chiding the famous knights for their disgraceful and unholy language, they wrote of her that she had quite a temper. And perhaps, deeply in the patriarchal era, there was little hope for purity and truth in any circumstance…even the monasteries had their challenges. Nevertheless, she had a pure vision of what might be possible and a world in need of God’s hand and help.
The end of her life is unfortunate. She is abandoned by the King she fought for and was responsible for his ascension. Held in prison, told she must renounce the voices and repent, she signs a document, a confession, since she can neither read nor write, she puts just the sign of the cross on the comment. She, a few days later, still held in a men’s prison, puts men’s clothes back on (imagine being in a prison of rough men, you are only 19 years old, likely at this point weak and frail), she reports the voices are speaking to her and is burned at the stake.
At this time, I believe it is Archangel Rafael who is speaking to her of Revelation and Glory. It is known she is not long for the world and is received into the arms of the angels as her body is left in ash.
As I look at the willingness to listen and respond to be an instrument for God’s wonder, it is not always comprehensible why outcomes are as they are. I think there is a great test of faith and a sacrifice of personal happiness to accomplish great good. Even in our Jesus interview, he said he did not laugh enough in his life on earth. (enroll in this weeks Jesus conversation)
A faith-filled life, in this era, may have the potential for more laughter, more personal fulfillment, I think depending on the level of commitment to your mission, a high level of commitment typically means sacrifice, a rejection of the ways of the world to accomplish great good. I don’t think Joan was always so happy or balanced. She had a vision given to her by God of what she could do to help humanity, and she chose to do it. How many of us are given a commission and miss the opportunity to step up into calling?
What have you been called to do? Are you listening?
