In All Things

“In all created things discern the providence and wisdom of God, and in all things give Him thanks.” St. Teresa of Avila

I work with international students. Once, I was asked about what books I could suggest reading. However, reading books might be difficult so I suggested audio books to help. Curiously, I signed up for an audio account and I stumbled upon the book, Great Catholic Saints by John Jay Hughes. I cannot stop listening to it. Recently, at a Lenten talk, it was noted that we could spend less times listening to music in the car or fill our heads with news and possibly experience silence. I thought about that, and I was ready to give it a go. However, with audio books, I can now listen to spiritual readings. One audio would talk about various saints and interestingly, there were many legends about saints – some factual and some lost to the ages. It sent a chill down my spine as to how these saints lived such great lives and my life did not matter so much.

“Follow the saints, because those who follow them will become saints.” Pope St. Clements I

Several of the saints struck me. The first one, St. Mary Magdalene, was surrounded by legends throughout church history. She is known as the ‘Apostle to the Apostles’ but her story was so much more. She was the first to see our Risen Lord, but there was also confusion as to which Mary the Gospels were talking about. In all of this, we can only see her as someone who loved our Lord, and this is something we can all emulate. Another saint who struck me was the story of St. Catherine of Siena who, despite her young age, she was determined to bring the papacy back to Rome. She was determined and spoke clearly and bluntly about the importance of leadership in the Church. The audio book referred to St. Peter, who when the persecutions began in Rome, he was making his way out of the city. Jesus appeared to him and asked where he was going. Peter returned to Rome and accepted his fate to be crucified. Christ always shows us the way. The stories of saints include those who were raised up in times of need. There was a laxity in religious practices in the Middle Ages and there was much apathy among the clergy. Great saints are sent to us as examples, and this is what the Church needs and has needed. We are never left alone.

“…. Just take everything exactly as it is, put it in God’s hands and leave it with Him. Then you will be able to rest in Him – really rest – and start the next day, as a new life.” St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

While I write this, I was listening to the story of St. Jean Vianney. It inspires me that someone would live their life for Christ, and I wonder what we could possibly do to live up to these standards. Maybe, our best option, is to bloom where we are planted. Despite all the opposition we might face from others who have no use for Christ and His Church, we cannot stop there. We need to clear our minds and rest our souls on Christ. He promised that we would never be abandoned; He would never give up on us. How many of us can say that someone never gave up on us? Let us continue to look at the saints who are always witnesses for us. We can never tire of striving to be better.

“The saints did not all begin well, but they all ended well.” St. Jean Vianney