A Call to Sainthood
Joseph L. Gubasta, Ph.D.
(Good of the Order – Elder Council, August 2011)
We are all gifted by God to be saints. A saint is a holy person who lives a Christ-like life using his or her God given gifts, talents, and skills to further God’s kingdom of love in ways that glorify our Creator.
If this sounds idealistic or unattainable consider what sainthood means. It can mean recognition by the Catholic Church after an extensive and prolonged study of holy people’s lives to include the verification of one or more miracles. From my perspective this is “Saint” with a capital “S.” It can also mean the legacy of selfless love that people leave behind as they prepared for eternal life with God. This definition of saint, with a small “s,” can apply to us.
Each of us was created to love, honor and serve God to the best of our abilities. God is doing His handiwork in and through us at this period of human history for His Divine purpose. It’s up to each of us to use our human and spiritual gifts in selfless love and service, moment-to-moment, throughout each day of our lives. This is the way to holiness. This is our way to eternal life.
Holiness happens through our conscious awareness of who we are as children of God and followers of Jesus Christ, while we go about our daily activities serving the people, and addressing the problems, challenges and opportunities we encounter. Holiness happens when we humbly admit our dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide us in Christ-like ways to do God’s will moment-to-moment. When we do this we become living saints.
As we live this way individually and fraternally, while addressing our Elder Council ministry and the “Order’s” programs and services, we will see miracles happen like: 1) more men attracted to our way of life and Catholic- Christian brotherhood; 2) many more humble men of wisdom and faith doing good works that further God’s kingdom for God’s honor and glory; and 3) we will recognize and use our spiritual gifts in miraculous ways.
How do we know this is possible? Read and study the lives of the saints recognized by the Catholic Church, especially the ones not widely known. In doing so you will discoverer that many of them lived simple, often obscure lives doing ordinary things in extraordinary ways. Over time many other people were attracted to them because of their humility and holiness. As God’s instruments of selfless love for other people and all that entails, these Saints left a legacy of lasting goodness. We have the same potential because we have the same God and the same spiritual gifts as our holy forefathers.
If holiness is the pathway to eternal life and sainthood, we are all on this path now and our membership in the Knights of Columbus provide opportunities to use our gifts, talents and skills to further God’s Kingdom of selfless live for His honor and glory. One need not take my word for this. Consider this: “Holiness [and sainthood] is not a luxury for the few; it is not for some people. It is meant to be for you and me, and for all of us. It is a simple duty because if we learn to love, we learn to be holy.” Mother Theresa
Questions:
Do you know your human and spiritual gifts?
If so do you use them routinely to further God’s kingdom?
