Sanctified
Happy Sunday friends! I hope that the past week treated you well and if it didn't, I am certain that this coming string of 7 days will make up for it.
As a Catholic, one of our distinctions as a religion is the presence and influence of the saints. Men and women who surrendered themselves fully to God and dedicated their lives to making His love felt in their respective countries and time periods. Submitting to His will even to the point of a violent death or a life filled with pain; for they knew that they did not belong here on Earth but rather in Heaven. A collection of people who saved souls and brought them closer to His loving embrace.
My confirmation saint was Saint Christopher, patron of travellers. I don't exactly recall why I chose him but part of the reason may be because my dad's name is Cris; which now that I think of it, totally fits that whole grade 7 mindset and mentality.
In order to be confirmed, I was given the task of choosing a saint and researching him/her - so as to examine their life and mimic qualities that they masterfully exhibited during their time on Earth.
Saint Christopher is an interesting case.
I want you to close your eyes and imagine Superman. But rather than thinking of him with the classic red and blue tights (ew), think of ragged shepherd clothes, a scruffy beard and a wooden staff.
A tall, muscular Yoda that speaks proper English and isn't green. Okay, maybe not the best comparison but if you have the image - keep it there!
I am going to tell you the story of Saint Christopher.
He showcased an impressive physical stature and decided one day that he would use his strength in order to serve the greatest king in the world.
After an encounter with a local king who told him the Devil was the most powerful, he ventured out in search of Satan. And his pursuit bought him to a band of a thieves, who's leader claimed that he was indeed, the Prince of Darkness, Satan himself.
Christopher followed this group until one day, when the leader retreated from a wayside cross in fear. This was when Christopher realized that there was someone even greater, more powerful than the Devil. This someone was Jesus Christ.
After this experience, Christopher dedicated himself to a life of prayer, fasting and charity. Even taking up a job that required him to bring travellers across a treacherous river, one that was sure to threaten the life of any who chose to cross without any help. He would use his physical strength to help people safely cross the river.
A small child asked Christopher to help him cross; he obliged without any difficulty, for he knew that this would be like every other time he aided someone. However, as Christopher neared the halfway point, the waves rose and the child's weight increased - to the point in which Christopher was forced to exert all his strength in order to bring the child across.
"Why did you get so heavy?" asked Christopher.
The child replied, "I am the Christ, and you have just carried the weight of the whole world on your shoulders."
And the child vanished.
Christopher would go on to travel and convert thousands in Asia Minor, before eventually being martyred for his evangelical efforts.
If you made it this far, Saint Christopher's story is one of thousands in the library of the men and women who walked this Earth; regular people who lived, suffered, and died for the same faith we believe in today. The same faith that brings us to Sunday mass, to a collective household, to pastoral meetings, or even to large events such as TNC.
One day, I want to graduate from the University of British Columbia with a bachelor's degree in English and go on to pursue a career in Journalism.
One day, I want to be at the altar with the love of my life, exchanging our vows and offering up our lives, our marriage to the Lord.
One day, I wish to make enough money so that my parents are able to retire early and travel the world as much as they please; visiting places they've never been to before and creating lasting memories.
One day, I want to witness Elise's baptism, her first confession, her confirmation and God-willing, the day she meets the love of her life at the altar; whether it be Jesus or another man.
But most importantly, one day I wish to be a saint. And I wish that you will one day be a saint too.
Taking a glance at the history of saints, He doesn't call the most talented, the best-looking, or the righteous; He calls those who are broken and sinners. For He knows that from our brokenness; can come something beautiful, something holy.
So if you don't see yourself as a saint right now, that's okay! Saint Christopher didn't and neither did Saint Augustine. Or Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Or Saint Agnes of Rome. But they continually offered up their imperfections to God and though their offering, gained peace and strength to bear their suffering and live with radiant joy.
Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.
Let's take the first step,
hand in hand with He who has brought us here
and will continue to lead us
For He didn't bring us this far just to get this far.
Keep moving!
AMDG
As a Catholic, one of our distinctions as a religion is the presence and influence of the saints. Men and women who surrendered themselves fully to God and dedicated their lives to making His love felt in their respective countries and time periods. Submitting to His will even to the point of a violent death or a life filled with pain; for they knew that they did not belong here on Earth but rather in Heaven. A collection of people who saved souls and brought them closer to His loving embrace.My confirmation saint was Saint Christopher, patron of travellers. I don't exactly recall why I chose him but part of the reason may be because my dad's name is Cris; which now that I think of it, totally fits that whole grade 7 mindset and mentality.
In order to be confirmed, I was given the task of choosing a saint and researching him/her - so as to examine their life and mimic qualities that they masterfully exhibited during their time on Earth.
Saint Christopher is an interesting case.
I want you to close your eyes and imagine Superman. But rather than thinking of him with the classic red and blue tights (ew), think of ragged shepherd clothes, a scruffy beard and a wooden staff.
A tall, muscular Yoda that speaks proper English and isn't green. Okay, maybe not the best comparison but if you have the image - keep it there!
I am going to tell you the story of Saint Christopher.
He showcased an impressive physical stature and decided one day that he would use his strength in order to serve the greatest king in the world.
After an encounter with a local king who told him the Devil was the most powerful, he ventured out in search of Satan. And his pursuit bought him to a band of a thieves, who's leader claimed that he was indeed, the Prince of Darkness, Satan himself.Christopher followed this group until one day, when the leader retreated from a wayside cross in fear. This was when Christopher realized that there was someone even greater, more powerful than the Devil. This someone was Jesus Christ.
After this experience, Christopher dedicated himself to a life of prayer, fasting and charity. Even taking up a job that required him to bring travellers across a treacherous river, one that was sure to threaten the life of any who chose to cross without any help. He would use his physical strength to help people safely cross the river.
A small child asked Christopher to help him cross; he obliged without any difficulty, for he knew that this would be like every other time he aided someone. However, as Christopher neared the halfway point, the waves rose and the child's weight increased - to the point in which Christopher was forced to exert all his strength in order to bring the child across.
"Why did you get so heavy?" asked Christopher.
The child replied, "I am the Christ, and you have just carried the weight of the whole world on your shoulders."
And the child vanished.
Christopher would go on to travel and convert thousands in Asia Minor, before eventually being martyred for his evangelical efforts.
If you made it this far, Saint Christopher's story is one of thousands in the library of the men and women who walked this Earth; regular people who lived, suffered, and died for the same faith we believe in today. The same faith that brings us to Sunday mass, to a collective household, to pastoral meetings, or even to large events such as TNC.
One day, I want to graduate from the University of British Columbia with a bachelor's degree in English and go on to pursue a career in Journalism.
One day, I want to be at the altar with the love of my life, exchanging our vows and offering up our lives, our marriage to the Lord.
One day, I wish to make enough money so that my parents are able to retire early and travel the world as much as they please; visiting places they've never been to before and creating lasting memories.
One day, I want to witness Elise's baptism, her first confession, her confirmation and God-willing, the day she meets the love of her life at the altar; whether it be Jesus or another man.
But most importantly, one day I wish to be a saint. And I wish that you will one day be a saint too.
Taking a glance at the history of saints, He doesn't call the most talented, the best-looking, or the righteous; He calls those who are broken and sinners. For He knows that from our brokenness; can come something beautiful, something holy.
So if you don't see yourself as a saint right now, that's okay! Saint Christopher didn't and neither did Saint Augustine. Or Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Or Saint Agnes of Rome. But they continually offered up their imperfections to God and though their offering, gained peace and strength to bear their suffering and live with radiant joy.
Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.
Let's take the first step,
hand in hand with He who has brought us here
and will continue to lead us
For He didn't bring us this far just to get this far.
Keep moving!
AMDG
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