5/7 — Learning from the Saints

(451 words, 2 minutes read time.)

** A Past Meditation **
Written in the past and newly restored.

(Read the 7-Part Pilgrim series)

When I read the lives and writings of the saints,

do I believe that holiness is truly possible for me?

Or have I quietly convinced myself that becoming a saint is only for a chosen few?

Do I allow their witness to awaken a holy desire within my heart?

Do I see their lives as an invitation to trust God’s grace more deeply?

The saints were not extraordinary because they possessed extraordinary strength.

They became saints because they continually surrendered themselves to the transforming love of God.

Do I desire that same transformation?

Do I long to fall ever more deeply in love with Christ—

the greatest romance of all?

Do I believe that the Lord desires to do far more in my life than I could ever imagine?

Perhaps He desires to make my prayer more fruitful for souls.

Perhaps He desires to increase my charity, joy, courage, or trust.

Perhaps He desires to free me from the attachments and habitual sins that have hindered His work within me.

Perhaps He desires to lead me into a deeper life of prayer and a more intimate union with Himself.

As our hearts are gradually purified,

we begin to discover that sacrifice is no longer merely something to endure.

United with Christ,

it becomes an offering of love.

Trials become opportunities to grow in virtue.

Crosses become opportunities to trust.

Suffering becomes a participation in His redeeming love for the salvation of souls.

Little by little,

our hearts become less attached to this passing world

and more at home in the Kingdom of God.

We begin to see ourselves as pilgrims,

journeying toward our true homeland.

Our greatest desire becomes not simply to do good things,

but to allow Christ to live more fully within us.

For the goal of the Christian life is beautifully simple:

to become so united with Jesus

that His love,

His humility,

His mercy,

and His life

shine through our own.

Lord,

give me a generous heart.

Inflame within me a holy desire for sanctity.

May the witness of the saints encourage me to surrender more completely to Your grace,

that I may become ever more conformed to You,

for Your glory

and for the salvation of souls.

Amen.

Stay tuned for two more reflections in this series!

A Moment for Reflection:

Do I truly believe that God can make me a saint—and what part of my life is He asking me to surrender more completely to His transforming grace?

Used With Permission: www.AdoreHim.com
(C) 2018-26 Lindsey Grace Mariella