Deacon Bill said the other day, something that is very important about our faith. He said that our faith is personal, but it’s not private. It’s critical to understand that when we begin to look at what Paul says today to the Ephesians. He says we are to be “rooted and grounded in love.” Not just any description of love, but the love of Christ. Jesus’ love fills us with the fullness of God. Paul then says that through that love, God can begin to work in us more than we can ever ask or imagine.
Often we think too small. We forget that love is the very heartbeat of our liturgy, the lifeblood of the Sacraments. The grace that we receive through the Eucharist is beyond understanding. God can use every one of us to do amazing things in the world. That comes with a cost, though. Jesus tells us that the world rejects his presence. We, as followers of Christ, may experience conflict, division, and rejection. Often by our own family. When we live our faith publicly, we become different; we become “strange” to the world.
That brings me to our Saint for today, Saint Pope John Paul the II. John Paul worked in a factory as a laborer and came home to discover his father had died during his shift. He prayed all night for his father, then shortly after decided to become a Priest. This decision was dangerous for him because it was during the time of Nazi control in Germany. He had to take illegal classes and try to avoid being captured by them. He watched as many priests were rounded up and murdered. He went on to become one of the most well-spoken and influential men of all time. Not to mention having written so many words that it’s been said it will take at least 500 years to even begin to understand it all.
I mention this because God took this laborer from Poland and changed the world through him. That same world wants to suppress religion still today. Jesus reminds us in the Gospel of the need for full commitment. Our faith doesn’t end when we leave this room. It should change our actions in every facet of our lives. Even if it causes division in our lives, we must stand firm. The way we dress, the way we eat, what we watch on television, and what music we listen to should all reflect who we are. We belong to God, and nothing should stand between Him and us.
Again, we do need a personal relationship with Jesus. Personal but not private. It is not just me and Jesus, but us and Jesus. One church, one body in Chris.t Just as you should be able to tell a married man by how he behaves towards other people, so should you be able to recognize a Catholic in how they do business, treat others, and live out Church teaching. Pope John Paul the 2nd understood that. He was so committed to Jesus that he risked his life to become a priest. It wasn’t easy, and it won’t always be easy for us either. But remember what I mentioned before from the letter to the Ephesians: “He is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine.” Do we really believe that? Do we ask God to help us become Saints? Often we think of Saints as superheroes, and that we “normal people” just can’t handle it. We all struggle with sin, we all have our flaws. Remember though: with God, anything is possible.
Saint John Paul the II, pray for us.
Prayer for Holiness
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love only what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me so, O Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.
Amen.