St Mary MacKillop 8.8.21
A saint is someone who takes matters of faith more seriously
than people generally do.
The same truth confronts everyone; not everyone sees it as a matter of urgency.
The saint has discovered the hidden treasure and goes all out to find it, and make it known to others (Mt 13,44-46).
Other people think the saint is extreme, takes it too much to heart etc. The saint should be more normal, like they are! Religion has its place but should not be allowed to intrude into other spheres, they will say.
The saint does not see religion as a separate entity but lives life in the light of God's reality. What could be more normal or natural than that?
This includes practical concern for others so the saint is not remote or out of touch with reality.
A saint does not see herself as different or better; but simply reacting to what is evident. God is glorious and kind and good, and it is natural to respond to His graces.
Mary MacKillop has even more normality for us because she is Australian and lived relatively recently. It is not only far away and long ago that saints are found.
Anyone who has enough humility and wisdom to see the obvious can be a saint. It is just a matter of following on one logical thing with another.
If God exists then I should know what I can about Him. and I should come to know and love His will.
That will make us into saints. A canonised saint is one who goes further still, responding to divine initiative, sticking to the task no matter what.
Most of us would not have the energy or drive to do what the canonised saints do - such as founding a religious order in the face of persecution, inertia, disappointment.
We can always improve, however, and that is one reason we are here, to seek that.
As with many spiritual matters we can take small steps, and we must start with where we are.
Grace and application - God will give the grace, and then help us with the application.
He will entrust us with more if we are showing an aptitude for the task. Give one more talent to the servant who already had the ten (cf Mt 25,28).
We do not compare ourselves with others so much as with ourselves. We strive to be better each day than the one before.
We seek not just to solve problems or meet needs as they occur but to contribute to the whole culture; to make it easier for others who come along after. Saints inspire us and can help by their intercession, and by paving the way before us.
For example, starting a religious order makes it easier for someone coming along later. All they have to do is join the order; much of the heavy work has been done.
We never should see a need without doing something about it – one of Mary’s best-known sayings. It challenges to us to practise what we preach.
We are not trying to set the world on fire, but there is a chance we might do that anyway by putting in our small bit. Several people putting in small contributions might be enough to bring on a miracle, We may not see the final miracle or our part in it, but it is comforting to know that such is possible.
Let us do what we can and then not be surprised if God multiplies our efforts. We do not give up in adversity, nor relax in prosperity. We keep striving till the last day!
No comments:
Post a Comment