NOVEMBER Reflection from Fr. Ray

Who are today’s Saints? Are you a Saint? Does your family and the people around you think of you as a Saint? Why do they? Or why don’t they? When I look out at the congregation during Mass I often get the sense that I am looking at Saints. What is evident to me is that I see a people who, by and large, are reflecting God’s love, who do their best every day at work, who get a prayer in here and there, who give of themselves for their family and loved ones, and who go through their day trying to fulfill their responsibility as best they can. They are not canonized, mind you, but they are Saints. They might come out with a curse once in a while but they are Saints. They are YOU.

If you are reading this reflection... you are a Saint. (I’m not so sure about the one writing it, however.) When we live and let the light of Christ shine through us we are witnesses of the Good News.

Regularly it happens and again this past week a family returned to Church after a decade of not going. The main reason they returned is because someone shared what church meant to them here at St. John Vianney and they came to check it out. They came back because someone simply shared their faith. I tell this story because I don’t think we are aware of the impact we have on others.

I remember when I was teaching religion in High School in the sixties, one of the popular questions of the time was: “if being a Christian was a crime, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”

Reflect on what are those things in your life that manifest goodness to others. Just think of positive things and work on the good that you do. And of course, give thanks to the Lord.