The Difference

Last night I was watching EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) and I heard a priest speaking about Saints. For those of you reading who are not Catholic or maybe don't understand Sainthood: Simply put, to be a Saint is to be a resident of Heaven. A Saint is model that humanity can look on and say, "Yup, they got it right! They are living like Christ commanded us to."

The interesting and wonderful thing about Saints is that they were born into a broken world just like us, their lives were complex just like ours, and they fought the inclination to sin just like we do. They were simply human beings. This made me beg the question: What is the difference between the life of a common man and the life of a Saint while on Earth?

The priest on EWTN was clear. The difference is simple. The common man says yes to God -- well -- conditionally and with restrictions. "Yes God, I'll do Your will IF AND ONLY IF You give me ______." or "God, You know I love You, and I will do anything You ask EXCEPT _______." The Saint simply responds, "Yes." Not only does the Saint SAY yes to God, but he GIVES yes to God. By that I mean that the Saint makes his entire life into a generous and loving gift of "Yes!"

- When God says, "Francis rebuild my Church, as you can see, it is in ruins..." what does St. Francis of Assisi do? He makes his life YES. He gives away everything he owns, serves the poor, dedicates his very being to Christ's message in the initiation of the Franciscan Order.
- When Patrick finally escapes enslavement from pirates on the neighboring Irish isle and God tells Patrick to go evangelize to go back to Ireland to evangelize the Celts what does Patrick do? He becomes the first Bishop of Ireland, faces his captors, and dedicates his life to spreading Christ's message to a pagan people.
- When a murderous Saul is knocked off his horse on the way to Damascus and is asked, "Saul, why do you persecute me?" When God tells Saul to do a 180 and start preaching the Gospel instead of killing it, what does Saul do? He becomes Paul. He writes half of the New Testament, preaches to Gentile peoples all around the ancient world. He leaves EVERYTHING to follow Christ's mission for him.

What makes it so easy for them? NOTHING. Rest assured life was hard for the holy men and women who dwell in Heaven. They suffered. They experienced pain. A lot of pain. What is the difference then? God was their CENTER. He was not just a player in their lives. He was not just an influence. He was definitely not just a main point -- He was THE point. Today we worry about ourselves. We want to live comfortably. We expect satisfaction and happiness all the time and if/when we don't get it we wonder how God could ever be good for allowing us to experience disappointment. Saints didn't worry about themselves. They worried about their mission. Their love of God was so whole that they felt justified in their suffering, they knew their worth, they knew their place and they were obedient.

Now it's our turn. Will you be common or will you be a Saint? I leave you with some words from St. Josemaria Escriva.............

"How pathetic: a "man of God" who has fallen away! But how much more pathetic: a "man of God" who is lukewarm and worldly!"

"How clear the way! How obvious the obstacles! What good weapons to overcome them! And yet, how manyy times you go astray and how many times you stumble! Isn't true? That fine thread - a chain, a chain forged of iron - which you and which you don't want to break: that is what draws you from the way and makes you stumble and even fall. What are you waiting for? Cut it...and advance."

"Don't say, 'That's the way I am - it's my character.' It's your lack of character. Esto Vir! - Be a Man!"

"Many live like angels in the middle of the world. You, ...why not you?"