Sunday, October 19, 2014

A Bad Case of the Mondays

* Note: From 2008-2010, I wrote an occasional blog for the Archdiocese of Baltimore's website. This is one of the blog posts. *




Title: A Bad Case of the Mondays


 


 


            So school has started again and all across the land students are rejoicing and shouting for joy, overwhelmed with happiness because they have another chance to sit in classes, do homework, and take exams.


            Not.


            However, before the complaining starts (and yes, even in seminary there are complaints about school…the never-ending lectures, the insane reading assignments, the sheer volume of papers we need to write), I’ve got to back myself up and remember one important fact:


            It’s right here, in the midst of the drudgery of school, that sanctity happens.


            I mean, let’s get real, for all those who are passionate about becoming a saint, don’t we dream about some glorious or heroic act of holiness? Perhaps we want to become like Maximilian Kolbe and give our lives up for another person. Or maybe be like Mother Theresa and dedicate ourselves to serving the most forgotten of our society. Or St. Francis who started a huge religious order and lived in the most abject poverty out of love for Christ. These things fill our souls with zeal; they get us excited for holiness.


            But holiness isn’t necessarily found in the extraordinary.


            I’m called to be a saint right here, amongst the reading and the papers and the classes and the drudgery of daily life. You were called to be a saint exactly where you are, whether you work in an office, or go to school, or are a homemaker. Just by doing our daily duties with joy and love is extraordinary holiness in itself.


            So before daily life starts to get you down (and here I’m preaching to myself first and foremost too, because I always struggle with the stresses of daily life), just remember that in this moment, you are being formed and purified into the great saint that God wants you to become. So rejoice – even these small crosses of daily life are gaining for you the glory of Heaven!

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