We furthermore rejoice that God has called us His children, like St. John's Epistle writes, and invites us to join the saints in Heaven by looking to their example in the Earthly lives we live now.
God grants us a vision, as is described in Revelation of who we will become as we open ourselves to His transformation in this life, including in times of suffering. By His power of redemption, God uses those troubles to conform us more closely to His image, so we can pure and, like Psalm 24 states, enter His presence.
So we can rejoice in experiencing Heaven now, even as we strive toward Heaven and the completeness of union with Him.
Among those in the cloud of witnesses are Blessed Father Michael McGiveny, beatified 6 years ago yesterday, and the Georgia Franciscan Martyrs, beatified yesterday. They showed how to live wholeheartedly for God.
Another example, special for today, is Pope St. John Paul II, who was ordained 80 years ago on November 1, 1946. He overcame the intensity of living in Nazi-occupied Poland and studied in an underground seminary. He then faced many more evils in this world, including communism, and has been making an impact that lasts until today. He answered the call to holiness, and his priesthood became a great gift to the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment