The Laudate app has a trove of great material for Catholics, and I particularly like their Saint of the Day section. It usually begins with the well-known saint posted on the calendar, but when we scroll down, we see dozens of lesser and unknown saints. I try to read through a few of them every morning. They span from the days of early Christianity to the 20th century and their stories are unique and fascinating. Some were born into wealth, others into poverty. Some had no siblings, while others came from very large families. Some lived extraordinary lives, others showed their love for God in simple every-day ways. Some died young, others old; many were martyred. I think every country is represented in the Communion of Saints.
At our last Advent Season of Praise Holy Hour, Fr. Jose Felix mentioned that one of his favorite lines in the Mass is after the Our Father, when the priest reads, “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you; look not on our sins, but on the faith of Your Church.
Fr. Jose said, “As a priest I think, don’t look at my sins, don’t look at our sins (those present at Mass) but look at the faith of our Church. And yes, there is a lot of faith in the Church. A lot. Many times, we look at people that have problems and don’t have faith and we can feel discouraged, but there is a lot of faith. Look at St. Lawrence O’Toole and the people that built this church. That is faith. Look at your 24/7 Adoration; that is faith. Look at the elderly woman in your church that comes to Mass every day, even when it is snowing. Every church has one. That is faith.
As I think of the “faith of our Church,” Laudate’s seemingly endless list of holy people comes to mind. Those thousands of saints from the past lived side-by-side tens of thousands of other holy people that just didn’t happen to be canonized. Just as today we are living side-by-side future canonized and non-canonized saints: men and women, old and young, rich and poor, living life the best way they can and trying to do it God’s way. Following Jesus, modeling goodness and humility in all the complicated ways that may look.
As disciples, let us not dwell on the faults and shortcomings; let us focus on the faith of our Church and work to grow our own faith so we can be one of those saints one day.
Scripture: Read Ephesians 2:19-22. What stands out?
Call to Action: Attend an upcoming program or event to learn more about Jesus, his teachings, and how to live a holy life.
