Heroes for Our World Today

As you know, today the Church honors and celebrates the countless number of men and women who have made it to Heaven – to the Presence of God – those we call Saints. For years I looked upon these saints as “untouchables”, unreal people whose example I could never follow nor whose holiness I could never achieve. But then I realized that most of them were men and women just like me – sinners – such as St. Mary Magdalen and the great St. Augustine. Our late Pope John Paul II knew that and so he raised many ordinary men and women to the ranks of the altar. They overcame their “ordinariness” because their lives were surrendered to God - because they loved Him. Below is a road map to sanctity that Jesus gave to us in His sermon on the Mount. (Mt 5:1-12a).

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. (those who know their spiritual poverty and their need for God).

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. (those who suffer the loss of love – through death, illness etc., who mourn for the world and its rejection of God).

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. (Those who are humble but who are courageous and willing to stand firm for the Truth).

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. (Those who persevere in their walk with God in spite of obstacles, because their desire for God can never be satisfied here on earth).

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Those who accept others the way they are, who are kind, forgiving).

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. (Those who refuse to be corrupted by our hedonistic culture).

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Those who do not divide, who lead others to reconciliation and peace).

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. (Those who endure the taunts of others for the sake of their religious beliefs).

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. (All of us who are hated because we are against abortion, same-sex marriages etc.) Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in Heaven!