“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)
SATURDAY, July 24th Mt. 13: 24-30 “Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. ‘The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.’”
- Which one are we? The weeds or the wheat? The answer is both! We are saints in the making; we haven’t arrived yet. But with God’s grace let us resolve to be on our way! Fr. Ed gives us the roadmap!
UNIVERSAL CALL TO HOLINESS: BE A SAINT! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
No doubt: the best way to transform the world into a better place is to strive to become a saint. Many stare at you shocked if you tell them that they are called to become a saint. “Me, a saint? That is not for me!”
The reason for this shock is that many do not know what God’s will is for us! God wants each and every one of us to become a saint, even more than we want to become a saint. Many think that a saint must work extraordinary miracles while on earth. The saint should be able to bilocate, heal the sick, raise the dead, and stop the course of the sun. Actually, none of these are necessary for one to become a saint. True, after death, miracles must be attributed to the holy person who will be beatified and eventually canonized a saint.
Jesus commands us to become saints! Jesus said with the utmost clarity on this topic of the universal call to holiness: “Be holy as your Heavenly Father is holy.” (Mt. 5:48) In the Sermon on the Mount, one of the Beatitudes reiterates the same theme: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for holiness; they will be filled.” (Mt.5:6) Saint Paul in his Letter to the Thessalonians repeats the topic: “This is the will of your Heavenly Father, your sanctification.” (1Thess. 4:3)
Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta expressed holiness in these concise but penetrating words: “Holiness is not the privilege of the few, but the duty of all.” Saint Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer (Founder of Opus Dei) lamented in these words: “The biggest crisis in the world is the lack of saints.” The French writer of the 1900’s, Leon Bloy quipped: “The greatest tragedy in the world is to not become the saint that God calls us to be.”
One of the most authoritative documents in the modern world, from the Second Vatican Council, the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, Chapter V, focuses on one specific topic: The Universal Call to Holiness. In a word, the Council Fathers insist on the moral imperative and imperious obligation that all people, from all places, cultures, and backgrounds, must strive to become holy. All must do their part in trying to become saints.
Want heaven: become a saint! In fact, all of those in heaven have arrived at holiness; they are saints. Many, probably most in heaven might be termed anonymous saints. By this is meant that they were not canonized—that is, declared officially to be saints. Still, they are saints!
Therefore, taking into account this “Universal Call to Holiness”, we will proceed to highlight some practical guidelines or suggestions that can serve as a motivation or stimulus for us in striving to become the saint that God has called each of us to be. Indeed, without practical guidelines and a true spiritual GPS—or roadmap, the pursuit of holiness will prove very arduous. Athletes need coaches; writers, mentors; and artists, models. So it is with those pursuing holiness of life—guidelines and pointers, in the right direction of course—are indispensable.
1. GOD’S GRACE. First and foremost, we need God’s grace. In fact, without His grace we can do nothing in the pursuit of holiness. We can sin abundantly, but trying to live a life of holiness without God’s grace is a pursuit in futility.
2. PRAYER. Normally God’s grace is funneled and communicated through the channel of prayer. Saints spend time daily in prayer. Ven. Fulton Sheen called it his daily Hour of Power! Prayer is communing with God; He does the work of sanctification and transformation. Specifically, in prayer it is the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier who transforms us from sinner to saint.
3. WILL IT! On one occasion the sister of the Angelic Doctor, Saint Thomas Aquinas, asked her brother how she might become a saint. Aquinas responded concisely with two words: WILL IT!!! It is true that God’s grace precedes every good action. In the Theology of grace this is termed: Prevenient grace. However, there must be an active collaboration with God’s grace. In other words, God will always do His part, but then we must do ours!
4. AVOID OBSTACLES. On the part of the future saint, there must be a sincere, concerted effort to avoid the near occasions of sin. The saying is so true: “He who plays with fire will be burnt; he who plays in danger will perish in it.” Sin indeed is the major obstacle in the pursuit of holiness. This should be avoided like the plague. However, if we fall, confess as soon as possible and begin again!
5. READ THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS. Another great help in our pursuit of holiness is developing the habit of good spiritual reading. Why not give fifteen minutes on a daily basis to reading the lives of the saints. By doing so, we start to form a criterion on how the saints lived, acted, prayed, thought, spoke and how they arrived at this heroic degree of virtue. Reading their lives will stimulate us to imitate their actions and virtuous path. Saint Ignatius of Loyola received many graces in his process of conversion by reading the lives of the saints. He made a determined determination to be like them! And it happened!
6. HOLY SPIRIT: THE SANCTIFIER. One of the many titles attributed to the Holy Spirit is The Sanctifier— meaning, He who makes us holy. Pope Saint John XXIII stated: “The saints are the Masterpieces of the Holy Spirit.” Davinci, Michelangelo, Dante, Shakespeare—all became artistic or literary Masters in their prospective fields. The prospective field of the Holy Spirit is that of forming and molding men and women into saints. Pray to the Holy Spirit every day to make you a saint!
7. SACRAMENTAL LIFE. As members of the Mystical Body of the Church, the most efficacious channels for grace flow through the Sacraments. Sacraments are exterior signs instituted by Christ to confer grace. By receiving Confession, as well as the Holy Eucharist, frequently and with excellent disposition of heart, mind, and soul, graces will rain down into your soul like a deluge. In Confession, Jesus heals us as the Divine Physician. In Holy Communion, Jesus nourishes and strengthens our soul with His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.
8. JOYFUL PRESENCE. A key quality in the lives of the saints is JOY!!! The person who lives with joy in his heart has wind in his sails in his spiritual journey; he can overcome many obstacles in climbing the mountain of holiness. The devil suffers mortal blows when in the company of a joyful person. Also, a joyful disciple of Jesus appeals and attracts others like a magnet! J.O.Y. means Jesus, Others, You. That is to say, put Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last!!! This is the secret to true Joy!
9. HEAVEN: HOME OF THE SAINTS! An enormous stimulus or motivation on our highway to holiness is to constantly have our goal before our eyes—Heaven! God created us for one purpose: to be happy with Him forever in Heaven! Saint Paul exhorts us not to look to the earth but to have our eyes fixed on the heavenly realm where Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father. If we thought more about Heaven—the Joy, and the Presence and Friendship with God, the angels and the saints, and Mary, the Queen of angels and saints, then our crosses would be easier to bear.
10. MARY: THE QUEEN OF ANGELS AND SAINTS. Finally, Mary can be of enormous assistance in our pursuit of holiness, in our desire to become saints. Indeed, Mary is the Queen of angels and saints. Pray to Mary; love Mary, call on Mary; love and pray the Rosary. And Mary will remain close to you all your life and help you to arrive safe and sound to your Heavenly Home!
Conclusion. Let us all, starting right now, strive to live out the command of Jesus: “Be Holy as your heavenly Father is holy.” (Mt. 5:48) The only thing that really matters in life is to become a saint. May this be our goal and may we attain it through the grace of God and the prayers of Mary, the full of grace and the Queen of angels and saints!
Copyright 2021 Oblates of the Virgin Mary / St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA
