“May We Be Saints” by Beth DeCristofaro
But Peter and the Apostles said in reply, "We must obey God rather than men. … We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." (Acts 5:29, 32)
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. (John 3:33-35)
Piety
Let us ask the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us a fervent longing to be saints for God’s greater glory and let us encourage one another in this effort.
Gaudete Et Exsultat (177)
Study
Just prior to today’s reading from Acts, Peter and the Apostles had been imprisoned then released by an angel. Talk about God having your back! The leaders are confused. Not so the Apostles who immediately return to preaching and demonstrate that they accept Jesus’ testimony and they (certify) that God is trustworthy with boldness and certainty. The notes from the NAB state that “Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within himself”.
Pope Francis’ beautiful Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete Et Exsultat, (On the Call To Holiness In Today’s World)[i] offers me a framework to recognize acceptance and how to “certify” God’s trustworthiness. In itself this seems presumptuous – certify that God is trustworthy? - until I bow in acquiescence and submission to God’s glory not my own. Pope Francis offers: “May you come to realize what that word is, the message of Jesus that God wants to speak to the world by your life.” (24) I can choose to expose God’s presence in my modest daily activities, in times of struggle or as a leader, acknowledging the Word of the One who died for me and all humankind rather than my voice my favoritism, needs, wants and preoccupations.
Pope Francis assures us “… led by God’s grace, we shape by many small gestures the holiness God has willed for us, not as men and women sufficient unto ourselves but rather “as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Pet 4:10). The New Zealand bishops rightly teach us that we are capable of loving with the Lord’s unconditional love because the risen Lord shares his powerful life with our fragile lives: ‘His love set no limits and, once given, was never taken back. It was unconditional and remained faithful. To love like that is not easy because we are often so weak. But just to try to love as Christ loved us shows that Christ shares his own risen life with us. In this way, our lives demonstrate his power at work – even in the midst of human weakness’.” (18)
Without sugar-coating the difficulties, Pope Francis outlines many obstacles and inspires me: “Do not be afraid to set your sights higher, to allow yourself to be loved and liberated by God. Do not be afraid to let yourself be guided by the Holy Spirit. Holiness does not make you less human since it is an encounter between your weakness and the power of God’s grace. For in the words of León Bloy, when all is said and done, ‘the only great tragedy in life, is not to become a saint’.” (34)
Action
Take some time to read Gaudete Et Exsultat. Choose one of the paragraphs on a Beatitude (or another passage which the Holy Spirit calls you to) and meditate on it throughout the day “certifying” that God is great and your own life is a mission in holiness.
Make a retreat within your daily activities for this season of Easter by slowly reading and considering through your ordinary doings “to see the entirety of your life as a mission. … Allow the Spirit to forge in you the personal mystery that can reflect Jesus Christ in today’s world.” (23)
Illustration: Kat Siglar
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