[Pearls Ep 170: Preparing for Sunday.]
Our theme for this Pearls series is Jesus’ revelation – “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”
It’s no small task staying on the Way in this life. There are plenty of distractions along the way.
That’s one of many ways in which the Saints come in handy.
The Saints were no different than any of us – save one thing. And this was it – call to mind your greatest weakness, your biggest flaw, your killer temptation … that became their greatest strength. The Saints learned how to completely defeat, by God’s grace, whatever was most holding them back from Christ.
Impurity – St. Augustine. Anger – St. Ambrose. Vanity – St. Theresa of Avila. And on and on.
Whatever you might be struggling with – there’s a Saint for that.
Here’s a good use of a search engine – enter “Patron Saint of ________” and insert whatever characteristic or trial. “Patron Saint of cancer” (St. Peregrine). “Patron Saint of anxiety” (St. Dymphna). “Patron Saint of Lawyers” (St. Ivo de Kermartin – who knew?).
Better yet – when in doubt, pray for a Saint to find you.
Karen did this.
And one found her.
How did she know?
You know when you know. Strange things start happening, sudden inspirations, strange “coincidences”, you name it.
Give it a try. There is a Saint out there, ready and waiting to help you on the Way.
Easter blessings –
Steve and Karen Smith
Interior Life
Postscript: Jn 14:1-12
Jesus said to His disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in Me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to Myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where You are going; how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know Me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing His works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.”