We need to combat the temptation to be discouraged about the impact our lives can have on others
As Catholics, we have a strong tradition of holding up the intrinsic dignity of every human being. We also have a strong tradition of holding up the examples of individual lives who have made a difference in the world. We celebrate the folks that we call saints — the people who have been declared to have lived such holy lives that they become for us examples of holiness after which to fashion our own lives. The saints all had different lives, but they have one thing in common. They demonstrate how to live a holy life in the midst of their own occupation and their own calling. Although they come from very different backgrounds, different countries and had different life experiences, each of their lives helped bring to fulfillment the kingdom of God.
This week, I would like to encourage everyone to believe about ourselves what we believe about the saints. We believe that the lives of the saints showed to the world what God’s grace can do through one human life. I hope that our celebration of All Saints’ Day this year might allow each of us to believe even more deeply that God’s grace and influence in our lives can help bring about the kingdom of God. I hope that we can allow other people to see Jesus Christ through the way that we live. We are all called to be saints.
One of the saddest experiences is to listen to individuals talk about the condition of the world, the Church or our families and feel overwhelmed by the possibility that their lives could make any difference. People tend to look at world conditions and believe that they are so broken and off-balance that one person’s life cannot affect the shape of the world. Many folks today have lost hope. And because of the loss of hope and the feeling of imbalance in the world, many people have given up trying to live a life of holiness. The brokenness of the world just seems too overwhelming. I would challenge us to read about some of the saints and notice what incredibly difficult situations some of them grew up in. Read through the details of some of their family lives or some of the circumstances of the life of the Church at the time. It might’ve been pretty easy for them to give up hope as well, for them to believe that their life really couldn’t make a difference.
When we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit, the power of God is shared with us in a very special way. We have been sent on mission to live our lives in such a way that other people begin to see Christ through us. One relationship lived well can change the world. One sacrificial life of love, given for others, can bear much fruit. We are meant to live the holy life that God can then use to bring about good.
Now is not the time to give up hope. Now is not the time to give away the power of each individual life. Now is not the time to believe something different about ourselves than what God believes about us. On this feast of All Saints, let us follow in their example and live our individual lives for the sake of the kingdom of God and for the love of our neighbor, whomever that may be.
