Let's Be Saints!

Our mission is to disappear. We proclaim not our story but His; the greatest story ever told in which we all have a part. The people of Babel say “come let us build FOR OURSELVES a city…and so make a name FOR OURSELVES.” But the saints do not proclaim themselves or build for themselves. They disappear into Him. “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.”

Human beings often think with the enemy of love…we need Jesus to show us the way of love! Love is not cheap, easy, or safe. Real love is self-giving and self-forgetting. Jesus comes to show us who God is and how God thinks.

Noah and his family receive new life through the branch of a tree…the blind man knew he was blind, and he lets Jesus take him by the hand and lead Him… “outside the village.” Do I?

“Guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” The disciples are in the boat with the Bread of Life…and they fail to recognize Him! “Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Do you have eyes and not see; ears and not hear? Do you still not understand?”

“This generation seeks a sign…” is the sign of Jesus enough for me? Do I offer a sacrifice of presence or a “sacrifice of praise” to God? That we may learn from the sacrifice of Abel!

The foundation of our hope IS NOT us! Christian hope stands on a fact of history. Do I LIVE belief in the resurrection of Jesus and in the life of the world that is to come? “Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings, who seeks strength in his own flesh…‘woe to you!”

Adam fails in his mission, and Eve has forgotten her identity. This reveals they have already stopped living in relationship with God…relationship, identity, mission. Jesus “does ALL things well.” Do I put relationship with Him first? Am I still grasping for apples, or does He come first?

Today God has heard Adam’s cry and “crowned” creation with Eve. Woman is the being that holds the greatest dignity in creation. In the gospel, Jesus is conquered by the trusting confidence the Syrophoenician woman places in Him.

“The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it.” God’s expectation is that men “father” creation by caring for it and reverencing its truth, goodness, and beauty. Am I doing this? Do I acknowledge that Jesus shows us how to do (and receive) this?

We are made in the image and likeness of love. Love is our identity, and love is our mission. But we have forgotten this! “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

“He made the stars too.” Creation reveals the incredible power of the Creator! What He cares most about, is YOU. Does He get to touch you with His love and redeeming power tonight?

Jesus came first and foremost to save souls. Is saving souls the first motivation of my life? We often care more about our personal comfort and gain than the salvation of others. Who can Jesus send into the world of 2025 to bring His people home?

“Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.” God is incapable of change; He can’t love you more than He already does! Interior freedom grows in people who live in the unchanging presence and love of God.

Talk to parents of students preparing for confirmation.

Saints don’t carry parachutes! Mission is never done in “ones.” Mission flows from relationship; communion.

The two women of the gospel show us how to be healed: “She fell down before Jesus and told Him the whole truth.” “The child is not dead but asleep’…and they ridiculed Him.” Talitha koum!

“The man went off and began to proclaim what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.” Am I a witness to hope like this man, or am I a spiritual pansy?

The mission of every Christian is symbolized by the candle we received the day we became followers of Jesus. Be light!

“Grant we pray, that, aflame with the same fire of love, that we may seek out souls and serve you alone.” The love found in John Bosco is offered to us as well.

How do I measure the value of a human life? “The measure with which you measure will be measured unto you.” The Church is at her best in the face of death.

Real sacrifice requires real presence. Real presence requires real priesthood. It is the great privilege of our lives to have these gifts in the Catholic Church. This makes real worship possible.

Thomas was arguably the most brilliant theological mind in history. But he did not just know ABOUT Jesus. He knew Him and loved Him. “Thomas, you have written well of me. What shall you have as your reward?”

Kingdoms that are divided cannot stand. He comes to bring communion to our division and to plunder the strong man’s house that we might be set free!

Jesus has happiness figured out! Do I believe this? I said that His words are “spirit and life” and I am reminded that a body with no head cannot live. St. Luke wrote his gospel for me. Do I have certainty in what he reveals Jesus comes to give me and all of humanity?

Mass in the house of Juan Bernadino, uncle of St. Juan Diego, and site of a Marian apparition. Jesus likes you! And He wants to be with you.