Passionate People

The saints are all passionate people; they are relentlessly passionate for one thing -- the kingdom of God.  The Spirit that animates Jesus Christ is passed onto them because they are open to Him and want nothing more.  In each one, the Spirit expresses itself through that particular physical and mental framework.  God does not destroy our "natural man;" He electrifies and energizes us according to the nature that is already in us.

Some of the saints are passionate for justice and mercy toward the poor -- St. Vincent de Paul, Mother Teresa, St. Elizabeth of Hungary.

Some saints are passionate for truth and clarity -- Thomas Aquinas, St. Paul, C.S.Lewis, Teresa of Avila.

Some are passionate for trust in God and for celebrating the life that contains his gifts to mankind -- Francis of Asissi, Julian of Norwich, Therese of Liseux.

God pours out His passion for healing, for truth, for justice, for goodness and kindness on the world through His saints -- those who are willing to open their hands and hearts to receive His Gifts to man.  He told Abraham, the first "saint:" I will make your name great; all nations shall be blessed through you.

I think each one of us can and should be a blessing to the world around us, not through our own knowledge and understanding, but by generously receiving and giving the gifts we have been given.  Jesus said, Freely have you received; freely give.

What is it that God has given us?  What is the passion that drives us?  If the passion is to satisfy our hunger for wealth, power, recognition, fame, etc, the fire quickly burns out.  If the passion in us is for the kingdom of God, it never burns out, because it is God's own passion in us.

The passion of the saints does not diminish in heaven; if anything, it burns even more.  What they so earnestly desired while on earth, they still desire in heaven -- and, like us, they are passionate about involving others in their mission.  That is why we have 'patron' saints.  They have been here before us; they have lived through many dangers and trials -- and they are witnesses to us that God is faithful in the midst of trouble. 

At the threshhold to the Promised Land, Moses passed on his mantle of leadership to Joshua.  To a younger man, the task must have seemed overwhelming and daunting.  But God's words to Joshua were, Do not fear; be strong and courageous; as I was with Moses, so I am with you!  When we communicate with the saints in heaven, or read their stories, this is the message we receive:  As I was with _______, so I am with you!

Sarah, promised by God to have the child of Abraham, was taken into Pharoah's harem once they entered Egypt.  What would happen to the promise of God to her?  When she was released by divine intervention, Abraham could know forever that God was faithful to His promises.  Now that's security and release from fear!  All of us have to walk through the valley of death to know that for ourselves---but so many others have gone before us and we can rely on their testimony that God is faithful and will deliver us from evil.

When we give testimony, we are not testifying to what we think or believe, but to what God has actually done for us.  We want to encourage others coming behind us, just as the saints in heaven still want to encourage us to trust God in all circumstances.  In the company of the saints, we learn to pray; looking at them, we learn to trust God as they trusted God.  When we feel weak and clumsy in the spiritual life, we can ask for their help.

As I first began my own walk in the Spirit, I pleaded with God, "Please send someone to teach me!"  I knew that I would fall down, stumble, and give up in ignorance by myself.  The person He sent into my life was strong in the spirit, having walked with God many years herself.  When I was doubtful, she was certain; when I faltered, she lifted me up; when I hardly knew how to pray, she prayed with me and for me.  She graciously poured into me her very soul  -- and from her, I learned to know God for myself.  As the villagers told the Samaritan woman at the well, We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.

When we face difficult moments in our lives, it is important for us to have someone to turn to, someone who has faced the same situation before us; we need to be schooled by others.  In this life, if we are fortunate enough to have a close friend to whom we can open our hearts, we ponder our questions together, we pray together, we pray for one another, and each is grateful for the other's support and concern.  In this form of friendship, God is the center, and each one acknowledges that the other is right with God.  If the saint is in heaven, this is still no obstacle to their friendship.  The dialog is even more far-ranging and fruitful, because the friend is now wrapped up in God's providence and shares His resources.  The friend now truly desires nothing else but our continued and deepening friendship with God too.  His passion for God and for us is even greater than before. 

God does not save us to become hermits, but to become friends with one another and with the world.  We are in the greatest company in heaven and on earth.  Let us rejoice that we have been called to such great fellowship!