change

Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American born saint. She is hope for all of us. If one american can be saintly then certainly the rest of us can follow.

St. Elizabeth is a saint for all peoples; she was a wife, mother, convert, and religious. Her journey, her pilgrimage on earth can speak to every pilgrimage.

She is also the founder of the parochial school system in the United States. Just think of her influence over the centuries; think of the number of children, teachers, and families educated in the ways of the Kingdom.

It is truly amazing what God can do when we let him use us.

Mother Seton was known for saying that "cheerfulness prepares the mind for noble acts."

What makes a saint a saint?

Jesus in today's gospel gives us a clue. He tell us, "repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

This is not a very catchy phrase that we might encounter at some churches, but nonetheless is captures the breath and depth of what is required.

The word repent simply means to change and to change often. It is not enough to change today, we must continually change at every moment, every day.

When celebrating marriages, there a question i ask the couples before the exchange of vows. I ask them, "do you come here freely without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage."

"freely without reservation" this is what repentance implies. We freely and without reservation give ourselves to God and give ourselves over to his grace and the change will happen and saintly we shall become.

Prayer:

"You renew the church in every age by raising up men and women outstanding in holiness, living witnesses of your unchanging love. They inspire us by their heroic lives, and help us by their constant prayers to be the living sign of your saving power."

May we be these men and women, constantly changing to let the unchanging love of God take hold of our life.