Let's Be Saints!

What is the most important relationship in your life? Hint: it’s NOT your relationship with God?!

“Do you want to be well?”

“The man believed what Jesus said to Him, and left.” Do I know what Jesus says to me? Do I believe it?

Perhaps the parable of the Prodigal Son could be better known as the parable of the Merciful Father. Jesus has come to find us, and to show us the way home!

“We shall say no more ‘Our God’ to the work of our hands.” Do I live underneath the Nazi spirit “work makes us free?”

Our first and greatest responsibility is to LISTEN. “This is what I command my people: listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people.”

“Do not forget!” “A prophet like me shall come…to him you must listen.”

The renewal and restoration of fallen humanity began with listening to God. The same holds true in our own time and in each of our own lives: listening, trusting, responding to God.

What am I being called to do—and how much am I willing to work—in order for me to become well? He comes to help even us lepers become saints!

There is much in a name… “Let all the earth cry out to God with joy!”

“Take off your shoes.” God reveals Himself as being itself; and He wants to give us even life! Will we take off our shoes? “Repent! Or you shall perish.”

POLAND PILGRIMAGE: Mass in the private chapel of the Archbishop of Krakow; site of the priestly ordination of Pope St. John Paul II History was changed because of what transpired on this floor. A young man who knew his identity as a beloved son chose to bet his life on the gospel of Jesus Christ. Karol Wojtyla lived free from fear and concern for what others think. He lived free from the spirit of...

POLAND PILGRIMAGE: Mass at the Shrine of Divine Mercy It is mercy that speaks the final word in creation. All history belongs to Him. “If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.” Am I listening to the witness of the prophets who I met today; prophets of Truth, of Love, and of Mercy?

POLAND PILGRIMAGE: “It is good that we are here.” Peter notices in whose presence he is; there is nowhere else he would rather be. Do we strive to imitate the saints, or imitate those who live in the spirit of the world? “Listen to Him.”

It is easy to often live in SELF-made aloneness. But self-made aloneness is not real, because God has come; Emmanuel is with us.

“Prompt our action with your inspiration, O LORD…that all we do might always begin from you, and by you be brought to completion…”

When someone loves you, they will tell you the truth. “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” “Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

When we choose the LORD, we do not lose. Unlike Simon Peter, God does not have a scarcity mindset. He loves in a spirit of generosity and freedom. Do I? “The just one’s offerings enrich the altar and rise as a sweet odor before the Most High.” “You will receive a hundred times more now in this present age…and eternal life in the age to come.”

The rich young man is looking at himself. St. Katherine Drexel looked at Jesus. Who/what am I looking at?

“Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?” We do not follow “enthusiasts” to the heights of Heaven. We follow saints and the Church who has formed them in every age. “When fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.”

“Kind mouths multiply friends and appease enemies”…do I lend my voice to the giving or taking of life? God stands with the vulnerable; first and foremost children. God wants His children to see life-giving love lived and modeled in marriage.

Does my soul matter as much to me as it does to Jesus and to His Church? Am I willing to cut off the things hurting me from becoming a saint? Saints do not rely on their own wealth and power. They rely on Him. Do I?

Wisdom and knowledge are not the same thing. “We tried to prevent him because he does not follow us…” but the governing principle of the Church is not “us” but Jesus Christ. Unity and uniformity are NOT the same thing. Christ does not call us to uniformity but rather to unity.

Do I ponder spiritual things as we prayed for at the beginning of Mass? Or do I ponder worldly things? Who (or what?) is the great governing principle of my life? The greatest philosopher in history knew wisdom and made Him the great governing principle of her life. May we do likewise.

Parish mission at St. Therese parish, KCMO. Loving people who love you; what’s praiseworthy about that? “To those who hear, I say…” Can you hear? Are you listening?