When interviewing Mother Teresa, a brazen reported/interviewer asked her: "Are you a Saint?!" She got right back at him and told him that all are called to be saints and said to him: "You are called to be a Saint!" She is right: we all have the "universal call to holiness!"
In the Book of Revelation, St. John says: "there were a multitudes that no one could number wearing white robes...who have washed their robes white in the Blood of the Lamb!" These multitudes were not the mere 144,000 elders. But this great number is all of us: the Saints of God. St. John was seeing a vision of us!
Where are you heading: to be in their number or being absent? We look at great film stars: James Steward, Spencer Tracy, Maureen O'Hara, John Wayne, Drew Barrimore, Tom Hanks. Just ask them if they gave all they had to their film career. They were successful because they gave all their energy and time and devotion to thier careers. Well, Maureen O'Hara may be an exception. She was a devout Catholic and gave a great deal of herself to God. So much so that she persuaded by her words and her prayers to bring John Wayne intot he Catholic Church just 3 days before he died. He loved her...and believed her..because he knew she lived her faith! He was therefore baptize, confirmed and received his first Holy Communion and then went to be with the Lord! Well, Baptism is a great Sacrament that takes away all personal sins and punishment due to sin. God did for him what Jesus did for the good thief: "This very day you will be with me in paradise!" John Wayne went directly to heaven! God made a great shoe-string catch of John Wayne with only minutes on the clock! We are all called to be saints: John Wayne found that out in a beautiful way. It was because Maureen O' Hara was a saint in the making that she made one more!
The greatest quality of a Saint! What is it!?
HUMILITY! To humbly accept the merciful forgiveness of God and to humbly accept all the Love God has for us!!! How much is it? "With an everlasting love, I have loved you!"
St. Augustine was a libertine, got a girl pregnant, who lived with his mother and him in their own home. He told God he would be pure..but not yet...
Augustine's mom prayed for him for nearly 30 years. He was converted; he became a priest and a bishop. Monica converted her mother-in-law and her husband. St. Monica made three Saints. No one goes to heaven alone or to hell alone. We always bring someone with us.
"Are you a Saint?" asked the reporter! What is your answer to him now?"
But most of all, what if you were to ask Jesus "who is a saint" and if you are among them? Jesus would quickly answer you. He would simply tell you this:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: the reign of God is theirs.
Blest too are the sorrowing, they shall be consoled.
Blest are the meek; they shall inherit the land.
Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they shall have their fill.
Blest are they who show mercy; mercy shall be theirs.
Blest are the pure of heart [single-hearted] for they sahll see God,
Blest too the peacemakers: they shall be called sons of God.
Blest are those persecuted for holiness' sake; the reign of God is theirs.
Blest are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of slender againt you because of me.
Be glad and rejoice; for your reward is great in haven; they perseucted the prophets before you in the svery same way.
You are the salt of the earth....You are the light of the world!"
So let us go forth in this world as "salt" and as the "light of the world!"
"The only great tragedy in this world is not to be a saint!"
"The Glory of God is a man/woman fully alive!" That was spoken by Saint Iraeneus! All the Saints show us that it CAN be DONE!
All Saints pray for us!
Peace and love,
Pio
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