The Stuff of Saints
“God knows just what each of us needs to become a saint. It’s when we decide to respond in love to all of the little details of life we are immersed in that we are heading in the right direction.” Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle
What’s the stuff that saints are made of? We know that saints are people just like you and me – from differing walks of life, races, eras and temperaments.
What sets them apart? They all had in common a shared communal faith in God and His promises. The saints are people who all choose to become holy. They are united in the love of God and the love for their neighbor. They were all challenged in many ways and became saints despite of, and actually more accurately, because of the struggles. They rose above the trials and persecutions with their eyes set on the goal – eternal life! Their example speaks volumes to us.
It can be a bit amusing when talking with people about striving for holiness, they say, “Oh, I know I can be holy if I wasn’t sick” or “If I had more time” or “If I had a different boss” or even “If I had a different spouse!” I smile and say, “My husband tells me with a twinkle in his eyes that God put him on this earth to make me a saint!” I think you may know what I mean.
It is that God surrounds us with opportunities to become saints by giving us challenges and people in our lives that He wants us to respond to with love. It’s through the loving that people’s hearts are transformed by God! And we are ALL called to be saints and to live lives of holiness! Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta said time and time again, “Holiness is not a luxury of a few, but a duty for us all.”
God knows just what each of us needs to become a saint. It’s when we decide to respond in love to all of the little details of life we are immersed in that we are heading in the right direction.
For a student, challenges at school or college can be an opportunity for grace, for a parent it can be working with a trying child or a grumpy spouse, and an angry co-worker too. All can help to contribute to our sanctity and theirs – imagine that!
This gives us a better perspective and also a whole lot of hope for the future when we recognize that we are where we are for a reason. God is calling us to holiness in the here and now of our lives right in the nitty-gritty details.
For more on the saints, check out Donna’s book: “Catholic Saints Prayer Book” through her website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com.
Coming up next on OMJ & Saints: Opportunities Surround Us
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Dear Richard,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful words! May dear Blessed Mother Teresa guide you ever closer to Jesus!
God bless!
Donna-Marie
I was reading your article in cafe theology about Mother Teresa and wanted to share this poem I wrote for her called, “Mother.” Blessings to you!
Mother
Saint of the gutters
Companion of all
Teresa so little
Standing so tall
Sister of mercy
In a border of blue
Crown of Calcutta
So faithful and true
You cared, reaching down
Opening your door
Serving the strangers
Helping the poor
You looked in their eyes
Praying, Father above
And saw the Lord Jesus
In faces of love
O mother of many
O sister so small
O saint of salvation
Who answered God’s call
We love you and miss you
And long for the day
When we will be with you
In Heaven we pray
Dear Sharon,
Thank you for asking for permission to reprint. Yes, you may use the articles from the blog. Please be sure to give credit to myself (the author) and the GR blog when printing anything out or copying and pasting to a newsletter. Offering my website address: http://www.donnacooperoboyle.com may be helpful as well.
I pray that the words will inspire the junior high students. God bless you and them!
Donna-Marie
I would love to use two articles (saints and imitating Mother Teresa)for a junior high newsletter that I think would be SO beneficial for that age group. Could I please have reprint permission?
Hi Jenny,
Thank you for your kind words. I am very glad that you are finding inspiration here. Stay tuned for more!
God bless you!
Thank you very much for your comment and kind words, Mark. May God bless you too!
Beautiful, inspring blog! I thank God for Him leading me to you and your writings this day. I am bookmarking your blogs, and will read often. Thank you for sharing.. God Bless!
I feel that your comments about the road to holiness are spot on. It’s good to get frequent reminders of these realities. God bless your work.