Sometimes a Presence More than Words

If God is the center of your life, no words are necessary. Your mere presence will touch hearts.” St. Vincent de Paul

Recently, I was at morning mass during the week. It was early and an elderly woman who had not been there for a while because of the snow accosted me. She asked me to pray for her son who was recently diagnosed with an illness. She has already lost a daughter. I wondered what prompted her to ask me since I did not know her so well. We had a nice conversation. As I was walking through the downtown of the city, I ran into a priest I knew somewhat. He was quite intrigued that many young people were lining up for confession and were curious about their faith. There is a resurgence of faith. We cannot understand it and we cannot know how the Lord works. It is beyond us. When I took a group of people to help me volunteer with the poor, the staff there was quite impressed with the group. All these experiences do not come from us. We need to be patient, and we need to be aware.

“God sends us friends to be our firm support in the whirlpool of struggle. In the company of friends we will find strength to attain our sublime ideal.” St. Maximilian Kolbe

I read about three saints or potential saints. Juan Macias knew that he must help meet the physical needs of those who came to him, but he also knew that their spiritual hunger was much greater. Juan Macias was an instrument of conversion for many. St. Juan was born in Spain and like many young people, he searched for his vocation. He joined the Dominicans in Peru. He lived his life for others there and was a great witness. He was friends with Martin de Porres and like many Dominicans, he preached and lived a simplicity. Another saint was Clare of the Cross. She came from wealth and her father built her and the community a convent. Clare was elected abbess after her sister’s death and her example of faith and devotion was a great example. She received many visions. Lastly, Marco Gallo from Monza, died at 17 from a car accident. He was a young witness to the faith from the movement, Communion and Liberation. After his death, Marco became known as a joyful, energetic teenager who loved hiking and climbing. Saints are not superhuman or heroes; they lived a life of simplicity and likely failed. This young man is remembered for his friendships and daily routines.

Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses. – St. Pope Paul VI

Jesus promised his disciples three things – that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble. – G.K. Chesterton

These holy examples are people we need to read about. We need to know that the Church is alive and moving. It is not stagnant and that is evident in the many people who are following the RCIA this Easter. What do we want? Sometimes, it is quite difficult to follow what God wants for each of us. We are like salmon swimming upstream and fighting against a current of people who are opposed to anything that might bring us joy. The Church, Christ and living a life for Him will bring joy, but it will not be easy. I listen to the stories of the people I meet and realize they have made a choice to follow, but it comes with a cost. It comes with challenges and we will not be alone on the journey. We need to be honest with ourselves. We cannot lie to ourselves or God. Let us face the future with courage.

“A great flame of faith and love must once again spread across the world, lighting the way for all people of good will.” Pope Leo XIV