There are the saints of every day, the 'hidden' saints, a sort of 'middle class of holiness'... to which we can all belong.
Interpretation
Pope Francis highlights the everyday holiness found in ordinary people, suggesting that everyone can achieve a form of sanctity in their lives.
In this quote, Pope Francis emphasizes the idea that holiness is not limited to prominent figures like canonized saints; instead, it exists among ordinary individuals who live their daily lives with kindness and virtue. He encourages a recognition of the 'hidden' saints who, through small acts of goodness and compassion, contribute to the sanctity of the world, implying that anyone can aspire to be part of this 'middle class of holiness' through their daily actions.
In practice
In a sermon about compassion, this quote can remind the congregation that everyone has the potential to be a saint in their daily lives.
We are a church of sinners but we must not be afraid of holiness. Do not be afraid to aim for holiness and turn yourselves over to the love of God. Holiness does not mean performing extraordinary things but carrying out daily things in an extraordinary way that is with love, joy and faith.
I join the March for Life in Washington with my prayers. May God help us respect all life, especially the most vulnerable.
No one must say that they cannot be close to the poor because their own lifestyle demands more attention to other areas. This is an excuse commonly heard in academic, business or professional, and even ecclesial circles. While it is quite true that the essential vocation and mission of the lay faithful is to strive that earthly realities and all human activity may be transformed by the Gospel, none of us can think we are exempt from concern for the poor and for social justice
We face so many challenges in life: poverty, distress, humiliation, the struggle for justice, persecutions, the difficulty of daily conversion, the effort to remain faithful to our call to holiness, and many others. But if we open the door to Jesus and allow him to be part of our lives, if we share our joys and sorrows with him, then we will experience the peace and joy that only God, who is infinite love, can give.
More and more people work on Sundays as a consequence of the competitiveness imposed by a consumer society.
This Christmas may we be consistent in living the Gospel, welcoming Jesus into the centre of our lives.
Animals are sentient, intelligent, perceptive, funny and entertaining. We owe them a duty of care as we do to children.
There is no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God, and counterclaimed by Satan.
What would it be like if I had something to defend - a home, a country, a family - and I found myself attacked by these ghostly men, these trusting boys? How do you fight an enemy who fights with neither enmity nor anger but in submission to orders from superiors, without protest and without conscience?
The soul is neither inside nor outside the body; neither proximate to nor separate from it.
What does it mean to regret when you have no choice? It's what you can bear. And there it is... It was death. I chose life.
The world is being created and destroyed in this very moment. Whoever you met will reappear, whoever you lost will return. Donβt betray the grace that was bestowed on you. Understand what is going on inside you and you will understand what is going on inside everyone else. Donβt imagine that I came to bring peace. I came with a sword.
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