ADVENT SAINTS

 

Holy women and men do not have easier lives than other people. Indeed, they too have their own problems to address, and, what is more, they are often the objects of opposition. But their strength is prayer, which they always draw from the inexhaustible ‘well’ of Mother Church. Through prayer they nourish the flame of their faith, as oil would do for lamps. And thus, they move ahead walking in faith and hope. The saints, who often count for little in the eyes of the world, are in reality the ones who sustain it, not with the weapons of money and power, of the communications media, and so forth, but with the weapon of prayer.  Sebastian White, O.P. Editor-in-Chief -  Magnificat.

    

                                The Storm (2020), by John August Swanson

This Advent as we prepare for the coming of our Savior, I go back to the main topic of this Blog and that is the SAINTS.  Why this emphasis?  Because we have so many in our midst, unknown and because we too are called to be saints.  Why else are we on this earth?

Because of our uncertain future, due to wars, climate changes, etc. there never was a time when we were so called to be witnesses and a time when holy people seem less likely to appear. Only the Lord knows what is being prepared for us. But we must be prepared. Not only must we look to those who can lead us closer to the Lord, but we must ourselves be leaders of a holy life.

St. Paul was adamant of our call to be followers  of Jesus, which means we are called to sanctity. "To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours.   (1Corinthians 1:30)  He asks these people of the early Church, to be united, to learn to live in the mutual love of one another. They  have been given grace and the love of God, freely bestowed and expressed in Christ.  For them he emphasized a shared identity – the communion and community of saints, differentiated in gifts but equal in shared honor. 

Advent is the perfect time to take more time for prayer and reflection, to slow down and ponder who we are, where we are going and why.

Breathe on me, Holy Spirit,
that I may think what is holy.
Move me, Holy Spirit,
that I may do what is holy.
Attract me, Holy Spirit,
that I may love what is holy.
Strengthen me, Holy Spirit,
that I may guard what is holy.
Guard me, Holy Spirit,
that I may keep what is holy.

                                                                                St. Augustine