Today in the church we celebrate the first feast day of the newly canonized Saint Damien of Molokai.
Saint Damien spent his ministry as a priest living among lepers, even becoming one himself.
The most effective moment of his ministry is said have been when he climbed the pulpit to give a homily, shortly after discovering that he himself had leprosy, and he began with these words, "we lepers."
The people realized he was one of them, he belonged and thus they could trust him and let him into their lives because he understood where they were coming from, what they were experiencing, their fears and sorrows. HE now understood their heart and thus they were willing to put themselves into his hands as their priest.
"we lepers."
The incarnation lived out once again. God becomes man to show to us that he understands. We can trust him with our hearts because he has a human heart like ours. We belong with him for he comes to be with us.
"we lepers."
St. Damien pray for us that we will always seek to understand the other person, becoming one them so to better lead them to God.
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