READ THE HOMILY:
As celebrate Jesus resurrected, I think that you have a chose . . . you can be a curmudgeon or a saint. As a curmudgeon, you have only two things to worry about, either you are healthy or you are sick. If you are healthy, then there is nothing to worry about. But if you are sick there are only two things to worry about, either you will get well or you will die. If you get well, then there is nothing to worry about. But if you die there are only two things to worry about, either you will go to heaven or to hell. If you go to heaven, then there is nothing to worry about. And if you to go hell, you'll be so darn busy shaking hands with your friends you won't have time to worry.”
On the other side, maybe you are called to be saint. French novelist Leon Bloy wrote, “The only real sadness, the only real failure, the only great tragedy in live, is not to become a saint.” Pope Francis says, “We all have inherited, through baptism, the ability to become a saint.”
But to be a Saint doesn’t mean to be sin-less.
St. Theresa of Lisieux (known as the Little Flower) claimed that she was the
“worst of sinners.”
St Peter, after witnessing the miraculous catch of fish, falls at the feet of Jesus saying,
“Go away from me, Lord for I am a sinful man.”
Writer G.K Chesterton said, “A saint is a person who really knows they are a sinner.”
Being a saint doesn’t mean to be perfect.
St. Thomas doubted that Jesus really did rise from the dead.
St. Paul organized the killings of Christians.
Social activist Dorothy Day (who is on the way to be canonized a Saint), used rough
language, had some affairs, went through an abortion, had a daughter without
being married in the church. She didn’t even want to be considered holy. She even said, “Don’t call me a saint, I don’t want to be dismissed that easily.”
To be a saint, according to Trappist monk, Fr. Thomas Merton (who will probably be a saint eventually), says, “For me, to be a saint means to be myself.”
St. Joan of Arc loved horses.
St. Charles Borromeo was a great chess player.
St. John of the Cross enjoyed music.
For you to be a saint . . . be yourself. This could include some humor.
St. Teresa of Avila spoke out against curmudgeons and overly serious Catholics. She
said, “A sad nun is a bad nun. I am more afraid of one unhappy sister than a
crowd of evil spirits. How awful to hide our sense of humor. Let each of us
humbly use humor to cheer others.”
When St. Pope John 23rd was asked how many people work in the Vatican.
He said, “About half.”
Every saint has been holy in a different way. Some have worked to make a difference in the world.
St. Damien and St. Marianne Cope, ministered to the lepers on Molokai, Hawaii.
St. Mother Teresa helped the diseased and dying in Calcutta.
St. Kevin (one my favorites for obvious reasons). He started a Monastery in Ireland.
We visited that Monastery in Glendalough on our pilgrimage to Ireland this past
fall. It’s one of the most peaceful spots we traveled to. Here I am at his grave.
Legend has it that once he was praying with hands outstretched that a blackbird
came and built a nest in this hands. And he remained there throughout Lent until
the eggs hatched at Easter time.
But you don’t have to do unbelievable things to be a Saint. As Thomas Merton says, just be yourself. You see, in these dark times of COVID 19, we have Saints among us, who are giving their lives to help others. We may never know their names or stories, but they performing, as I speak, beautiful acts of courage and love for others.
There are the Doctors, Nurses, Health providers. First Responders, People providing the food, gas and everyday things so that we can carry on. There might even be some saints right with you today, who are keeping the good news of God alive by sheltering at home, heeding the warning NOT to go out, practicing social distancing to keep all others safe.
So what are you going to be on this Easter day? A curmudgeon, who is complaining that this is shut down or I’m able to do that, or to be a saint? Pope Francis said, “The one quality that all saints have . . . is gratitude.
Again, Thomas Merton, “It's not what you do for God; it's what God has done for you.
You switch from trying to love God to just letting God love you. And it's at that point
you fall in love with God”
For I say, to be a saint realizes how much God loves them, that they are never alone. And that no matter how tough days become . . . they have HOPE. So, you have two choices . . . to be a curmudgeon or a saint.