10-29-21

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
October 29, 2021
A French nun by the name of Thérèse of Lisieux wrote, “I have always wanted to become a saint. Unfortunately, when I have compared myself with the saints, I have always found that there is the same difference between the saints and me as there is between a mountain whose summit is lost in the clouds and a humble grain of sand trodden underfoot by passers-by.” What I know of Lisieux, I believe her comparison is a bit overstated, yet I am often humbled as I read stories of the faithful throughout the centuries. It feels as if the title saint-in-training is still too boastful for me. Yet as we approach All Saints’ Sunday, giving thanks for all those whose lives were interwoven with our lives and have now joined the saints above, we must be cautious to never become so awestruck by the amazing saints that we are left immobilized. To be inspired should not leave us believing the goal is perfection. In fact, all the saints had rough edges, failures and outright blunders. We may not know all their faults as history is often kind to such people. But even the Apostle Paul, a saint among saints, honestly spoke of his past sins of violence toward the church and his ongoing struggles. He wrote in Romans 7, “I don’t do what I want to do. Instead, I do the thing that I hate.” Yet Paul, like so many others, did not allow such frustrations to define his life. He spoke honestly, confessing his shortcomings, and then through the Spirit, he stretched toward even greater Christ-like ideals.

For all the saints, O Lord, I give you thanks! Continue to put before me their life stories to inspire and encourage my life. I do not do what I do for the title or recognition, but for the sake of your Good News, the news of your unconditional love. Amen.

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