Here on earth, we do not see Jesus as He is. "Now we see [Him] indistinctly" (1 Cor 13:12). We get glimpses of Jesus through the splendors of His creation. We can see Him in His eucharistic splendor. However, we are human beings, created with human senses, and we relate most readily to other humans. This is why God sent His only Son, Jesus, to take on human flesh (Jn 3:16).
God is so generous in creating ways for us to relate to Him that He has also created other human beings who point us to Himself. He has sent us saints – holy people who have allowed the light of Christ to shine through their lives so that all may see the goodness in their acts and give praise to God (Mt 5:16). God has given saints for what seems like every imaginable state in life. There are saints for doctors, homemakers, priests, religious sisters, accountants, teachers, lawyers, sinners striving to reform, disciples striving to grow in holiness, etc. Each of these saints is a gift from God sent to help us "see" Jesus in a new and deeper way.
Jesus gave His disciples an example to follow (Jn 13:15; 1 Pt 2:21). In the same way, the saints are examples for us. Heed the call of the saints as they tell us: "Imitate me as I imitate Christ" (1 Cor 11:1).
| PRAYER: | Father, I want so much to be close to You. Thank You for surrounding me with a cloud of saintly witnesses (Heb 12:1). I join with the saints in praising You today and forever. |
| PROMISE: | "Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they shall have their fill." –Mt 5:6 |
| PRAISE: | Through the ministry of the popes, particularly Pope John Paul II, the number of canonized saints has doubled in the last half-century. "Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints!" |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College