Week Beginning April 27, 2025
Seven Lamps of Sanctification
The Catechism of the Catholic Church instructs us: “This perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity–this communion of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed–is called ‘heaven.’ Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness” (CCC 1024). In order to achieve this end, we must die in God’s grace and friendship and either be perfectly purified (CCC 1023) or undergo purification after death (CCC 1030). Holiness is necessary to enter the joy of heaven (CCC 1030), and all Christians are called to holiness (CCC 2013).
So, how do we answer our call to holiness? Pope Benedict XVI explains that we can only become holy by sharing in God’s holiness:
“The answer is clear. A holy life is not primarily the result of our efforts, of our actions, because it is God, the three times Holy (cf. Isaiah 6:3) who sanctifies us, it is the Holy Spirit’s action that enlivens us from within, it is the very life of the Risen Christ that is communicated to us and that transforms us.”
He continues by observing that Christian holiness is “charity lived to the full” (1 John 4:16):
“But if charity, like a good seed, is to grow and fructify in the soul, each of the faithful must willingly hear the word of God and carry out his will with deeds, with the help of his grace. He must frequently receive the sacraments, chiefly the Eucharist, and take part in the holy liturgy; he must constantly apply himself to prayer, self-denial, active brotherly service and the exercise all the virtues.”
Therefore, our holiness depends upon both God’s gifts to us and our cooperation with those gifts. Through the grace of God, we engage lovingly in our relationship with Him and others using the virtues to light our pathway to becoming a saint. Pope Saint John XXIII refers to the “seven lamps of sanctification” as the seven virtues that illuminate Christian life. These virtues are the four cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance elevated and perfected by the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity.
Saints enjoy the fullness of God’s life in heaven after living lives of heroic virtue on earth, offering their lives for others, or being martyred for the faith. Through their exemplary imitation of Christ, they become excellent role models and powerful intercessors for the faithful on Earth.
Our communion of saints includes those who are canonized and those who are not yet canonized. These “simple saints,” as Pope Benedict XVI calls them, are “ordinary people, so to speak, without visible heroism but in their everyday goodness I see the truth of faith.” Pope Francis lauds our “saints next door,” who “in those parents who raise their children with immense love, in those men and women who work hard to support their families, in the sick, in elderly religious who never lose their smile” demonstrate daily patience and resolve.
Look toward the canonized saints and these simple saints next door as models of virtue and heavenly friends from God. Learn from their examples, their stories, their witness, and their encouragement. Remember them in your prayers, and ask for their intercession to help you discern and persevere in your vocation.
While Saint Paul teaches us about the diversity of our gifts from God (Ephesians 4:7-16), the Second Vatican Council elaborates on how we can use our unique talents in conjunction with one another to build the Kingdom of God. Any role we fill in society can be treated like a vocation when we are called to offer our service lovingly as part of His divine plan. Pope Benedict XVI encourages us to embrace our parts “as small pieces in the great mosaic of holiness that God continues to create in history, so that the face of Christ may shine out in the fullness of its splendor.”
Do not despair if you do not feel worthy to enter the Heavenly Kingdom. That is truly a sign that you are on the right path. Saint Augustine asserts: “If you ask me what the essential thing in the religion and discipline of Jesus Christ is, I shall reply: first, humility; second, humility; and third, humility.” In a vision, Jesus told Saint Catherine of Siena:
“Do you know, daughter, who you are and who I am? If you know these two things you have beatitude in your grasp. You are she who is not, and I AM HE WHO IS. Let your soul but become penetrated with this truth, and the Enemy can never lead you astray; you will never be caught in any snare of his, nor ever transgress any commandment of mine; you will have set your feet on the royal road which leads to the fullness of grace, and truth, and light.”
Plant your feet on that royal road, and trust that the Almighty God, who destines us for salvation, will guide your journey. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux illustrates how “Perfection consists in doing His will, in being what He wills us to be.” She notes:
“I understand how all the flowers He has created are beautiful, how the splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the Lily do not take away the perfume of the little violet or the delightful simplicity of the daisy. I understood that if all flowers wanted to be roses, nature would lose her springtime beauty, and the fields would no longer be decked out with little wild flowers.”
This week, embrace the beautiful flower that you are in the garden of souls. Keep your lamps of sanctification trimmed, so that the virtues can help you blossom into your full potential and illuminate your path toward becoming a saint. And on this Sunday of Divine Mercy, trust in the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness to free you from the burden of sin and empower you to lead a life that honors God. Jesus, I trust in you!
Week Beginning April 20, 2025
Charity
“If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things. At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
~ 1 Corinthians 13
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that “Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for His own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God” (CCC 1822). As a virtue, charity is not merely a passive feeling or an emotion, but an unconditional and sacrificial form of love. This highest form of love, often described using the Greek word agápē, is a selfless act of the will. It is the fatherly love God has for us and our reciprocal love for Him; it is our love for our neighbors as if they were extensions of ourselves. This supernatural virtue of love purifies and raises our will so that we favor loving God above all others and above all worldly goods. It orders our priorities so that everything we do points back to God. Similarly, charity transforms all of the virtues by determining this holy end toward which they also aim.
Albert the Great explains: “It is by the path of love, which is charity, that God draws near to man and man to God. But where charity is not found, God cannot dwell. If, then, we possess charity, we possess God, for ‘God is Charity’ (1 John 4:8).” Saint Thomas Aquinas states that the material object of charity is God Himself, and the formal object of charity is God as beloved–as our first and best friend. It is important to note that on our own, we are incapable and unworthy of this friendship with God. We are able to love, because God loves us first. Only through His grace are we capable of experiencing this divine love and friendship; only through His grace are we made more like the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father and the Son as their mutual love. “Charity unites us to God,” says Pope Saint Clement I. “There is nothing mean in charity, nothing arrogant. Charity knows no schism, does not rebel, does all things in concord. In charity all the elect of God have been made perfect.”
In addition to holding charity in our hearts, we must also put it into action. Saint Ignatius of Loyola tells us, “Love is shown more by deeds than by words.” Saint Augustine elaborates: “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” Charity gives meaning to all of our good works by offering them for the Kingdom of God. Pope Saint Gregory the Great adds: “The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist.”
Charity, which is the willing of another’s good, is distinct from kindness, which is the desire to relieve one’s suffering. Tough love occurs when the loving thing to do does not at first seem like the kind thing to do. A loving father allows us to make mistakes for the sake of learning. He offers us frank correction for our protection. Just as God the Father permits some suffering for our greater good, we engage in long-term loving actions over short-term kindness when it is beneficial to others.
Love is not always easy. Saint Ignatius of Loyola proclaims, “There is no better wood for feeding the fire of God’s love than the wood of the Cross.” Even hardship, when embraced as an opportunity for growth and union with God, can ignite charity. At times, love leaves us feeling vulnerable. We take a risk when we choose to open ourselves to a selfless love. Yet when we pour out our love and give ourselves to others, charity flows back to us and reinforces our image in the likeness of God. In such a way, we receive back the gift we give away.
Exercised internally, charity produces joy, peace, and mercy. It helps us comprehend the fulfillment of beatitude. Exercised externally, charity is displayed through beneficence, alms giving, and fraternal correction. Sins against charity generally stem from the hatred of God but also arise when we are moved by an inordinate desire or fear. Sins against the joy of charity include sloth and envy, against the peace of charity include discord, contention, schism, war, strife, and sedition, and against the beneficence of charity include scandal.
Although the day comes when we no longer need faith and hope, charity endures forever. When we reap our eternal reward, the friendship with God we start on earth continues to grow both perfectly and exponentially in heaven.
The gift of the Holy Spirit that enhances charity is wisdom. The gift of wisdom, separate from the intellectual excellence attained through the virtue of wisdom, enables us to see God as the sovereign good and final end. Through supernatural wisdom, we can judge and govern human actions according to divine principles, thus willing the proper order for our lives.
When we view the theological virtues as parts of a plant, charity is the fragrant flower that crowns the top. The hidden potential within the plant blooms to reveal its full splendor and thereafter spreads its seeds of love. Likewise, Saint Teresa of Calcutta encourages us to blossom: “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” Saint Augustine observes, “Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.”
This week, think about how you express charity in your thoughts, words, and actions. Do you approach others with compassion and understanding? Do you try to empathize with their struggles? Do you show forgiveness and mercy when you are wronged? Are you loving even when it hurts? Think also about your special gifts. How can you use your talents to spread your seeds of love?
The Venerable Fulton Sheen reminds us: “The greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white host.” In the spirit of Easter, reflect upon this greatest love known to mankind–the love of God. Recognizing the enormity of that love, ask yourself if your loving service to Him is big enough. Are you being a good friend to God? Are you trying to resist sin and live in a way that is pleasing to Him? Do you spend enough of the hours He gives you in worship, prayer, study, thanksgiving, and adoration?
Best wishes to you and your loved ones for an Easter season filled with faith, hope, and charity. Rejoice and be glad. For He is truly risen! Alleluia!
Week Beginning April 6, 2025
Faith
Saint Paul encourages us to live our lives rooted in faith: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7). Rooted in the rich soil of Christ’s love, our faith grounds and nourishes us. It holds us firm and sustains us as we strive to grow upward toward God and bear His fruit. Saint Thomas Aquinas explains that by faith, our intellect apprehends hope and charity. In that order of generation, our faith precedes hope and love.
It is important to note that as a theological virtue, God must first impart faith in our souls before we can fully realize it. Through this supernatural habit, we unite our human intellect to God. Faith shines a new and higher light on our minds that enables us to judge rightly about divine things and to believe what God reveals to us. Embracing this truth, we are compelled to adhere to God and commit to His will. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us:
“Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our belief, because he is truth itself. By faith ‘man freely commits his entire self to God.’ (DV 5) For this reason the believer seeks to know and do God’s will. ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’ Living faith ‘work[s] through charity’ (Rom 1:17; Gal 5:6) ” (CCC 1814).
In his treatment on faith, Saint Thomas Aquinas comments that both the material and formal object of faith is the true God and His truths. These truths are summarized in our Articles of Faith, which we reflect upon regularly as we profess our faith through the creeds. We are the subject of faith, which is infused as a supernatural perfection of our intellect. Faith elevates human reason, allowing us to take in the Articles of Faith and to judge them as true without seeing or proving their reality. Saint Bernard says, “I believe though I do not comprehend, and I hold by faith what I cannot grasp with the mind.”
Saint Thomas Aquinas assigns belief as the interior act proper to faith, which ends and rests in God. In faith, we believe in the existence of God, in His trustworthy witness of truth, and in the communion of knowledge that He establishes with us. Faith raises us beyond the intellectual aspect of belief and the emotional aspect of trust by allowing us to hold confidently to the supernatural truth that is unseen and indemonstrable. “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Saint Augustine states, “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” Believing leads us to see what God sees and know what God knows. “Jesus said to him, ‘Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed’” (John 20:29).
Confession or profession constitutes the exterior act proper to faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church details:
“The disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it: ‘All however must be prepared to confess Christ before men and to follow him along the way of the Cross, amidst the persecutions which the Church never lacks.’ (LG 42; cf. DH 14) Service of and witness to the faith are necessary for salvation: ‘So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven’ (Mt 10:32-33)” (CCC 1816).
Sins against the interior act of faith include unbelief, heresy, and apostasy. Blasphemy is the sin against the exterior act of faith. To keep our faith alive, we must live it out in conjunction with hope and charity. Saint James warns us, “For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).
Faith flourishes when we seek God’s grace and incorporate our faith into everything we do. “Faith, if it is to grow, has to begin ever anew,” remarks Pope Francis. “It needs to be sparked by desire, to take up the challenge of entering into a living and lively relationship with God.” One great way to grow in faith is to take a break from our worldly noise and simply listen to God. “Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).
The Gospel According to Mark recounts the healing of a boy with a demon (Mark 9:14-29). After an unsuccessful attempt by the disciples to drive the evil spirits out of the boy, his father approaches Jesus. He asks the Lord if he can do anything to help them. Jesus quickly tells him that everything is possible for those who have faith. The father famously replies, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” We can say this little prayer whenever our faith is tested and whenever we experience a flicker of doubt.
The two gifts of the Holy Spirit that perfect the act of faith are understanding and knowledge. Understanding further perfects faith through insight into the essence of the Articles of Faith. This divine understanding allows us to view God purified of unnecessary earthly imagery and analogies. Knowledge further perfects faith through judgment regarding the truth of created things in view of God. This divine knowledge allows us to mourn the ways that created things could take the place of God with a weak or undeveloped faith.
Through our participation in the virtue of faith, we begin our eternal lives with God’s eternal love. Faith is a special virtue that is only needed in this earthly realm. Once we reach heaven, we experience the beatific vision firsthand.
This week, think about how and when you might struggle with faith. Pope Francis observes: “Faith is not a light which scatters all our darkness, but a lamp which guides our steps in the night and suffices for the journey. To those who suffer, God does not provide arguments which explain everything; rather, His response is that of an accompanying presence.” How can you remain faithful to God as you work through your difficulties?
Do you completely accept the Word of God, or do you believe that values are personal and people have their own truths? To properly embrace the faith, we obey the divine before the human. We honestly conform to reality, rather than trying to make reality suit our individual whims and fancies.
Consider also how you nurture your faith every day. Are you taking enough time to pray and worship? Do you engage in Bible study, read scripture, join prayer groups, participate in retreats, kneel in adoration, frequent the sacraments, and pursue religious education? Are you keeping your faith alive through social services, love, and good works?
How do you profess your faith to others? Think about how you can use friendship to prepare the way to share the message of Jesus Christ. Are you radiating goodness and joy from the inside, so that your outward signs inspire others? Do you bear witness through the example of how you live? Do you invite others to join you on your faith journey? Pope Francis reminds us, “No one is saved alone. Isolation is not part of our faith.”
Open your soul to receiving the theological virtues, and let your faith save you.
