Others See our Actions

We must all try to be preachers through our deeds.” Saint Teresa of Ávila

Recently, I was at the 100th anniversary of a nearby parish. The RCIA members attended and I thought it would be a good gesture to go also. The local Bishop was there, and I introduced myself to him, though I had met him before. I watched and listened attentively to the mass, and at the reception afterwards, I saw the joy on people’s faces. A hundred years is not much for a parish, but where I live, it is. I thought about how many families, people and sacraments passed through that parish over the years. Over the past while, I have listened to various people recount their personal experiences and I wonder how to tell these people where their answers lie. We live in a world that is quite unsettled in many ways. How can we witness to others who Christ is for us?

“Tell others about the truth that sets you free.” Pope Benedict XVI

Blessed Lucy of Narni, a Religious, also known as Lucy Brocadelli was in her late teens when she received the stigmata. She was investigated by the local bishop and even by the pope and it was affirmed that the stigmata were genuine. She was in pain physically, but the pain inflicted by others did not make her life any easier. When her father died, her uncle wanted to marry her off, but she slapped the suitor when he tried to put a ring on her finger. She only agreed to marry a count named Pietro when he promised they would live as brother and sister but her pious life forced Pietro to ask for marriage dissolution. She became a Dominican tertiary, and an abbey was built for her. Once a new prioress was named, she was treated badly and cruelly by the new superior, but she never complained. She lived the next four decades in humble obscurity, but her witness outlasted the ages. St. Artemide Zatti was born into poverty in 1880 and eventually immigrated to Argentina. He was drawn to the Salesians and entered their seminary, but he contracted tuberculosis and there was limited treatment at the time. His mentor, Father Evarisio Garrone, prayed with him to ask Our Lady, Help of Christians, for healing and he promised he would devote his life to healing. He was miraculously cured and he kept this promise. He worked in the pharmacy and learned about hospital management. That hospital is now named for him. He was canonized by Pope Francis. We read about the miracles performed by Jesus and during a homily recently, I heard how we expect the same today. Miracles do happen, just maybe not as quickly as we would like them to.

“Don’t be afraid of the radicalness of His demands… If He asks much of you it is because He knows you can give much.” John Paul II

What are we doing all day? We have time for many things, and we waste a lot of time. We think things are so important but only one thing is necessary. There is so much more waiting for us in life. Often, words are said but not followed through. How many times do we not do what we say? I was thinking about the homily at the anniversary mass, and it made me think about how the early Christians must have felt. Those early days, the people around them were attracted by the way the early Christians lived. We can do the same. Maybe in the 21st century, it is more important.

Pope Leo XIV. “Jesus calls you to be witnesses of communion, builders of bridges and sowers of trust in a world often marked by division and suspicion.”