become a saint

More and more God is teaching me what St. John of the Cross, a doctor of the Church for his writings about the spiritual life, has already said: that the way to divine union (sainthood) is through faith.

Note that this is completely different from the Protestant doctrine of “faith alone.” St. John is not speaking of justification, nor is he saying that it is not necessary to do anything to become a saint. Rather St. John of the Cross speaks of the way that we are to learn to approach God. In order to advance to union with God, to holiness, we must eventually learn to approach God not through feelings or thoughts but through faith. We must believe in His goodness and trust in Him not because we feel that He is good and trustworthy, but because we believe that He is good and trustworthy. In fact, we must approach Him with this faith even if it feels like He is not good or trustworthy.

We cannot expect this gift of faith in ourselves without first spending time in meditation, studying Scripture and our faith (e.g. the Catechism), and working to conform our lives to the Gospel. It is in this way that we come to know God and know that He is loving. Without this, what good will our faith be? When we approach God in faith, we must know that we are approaching Love. We must come to God through faith and meet Him in love.

But I also find it very useful to make acts of faith and trust in God, especially when I find it most difficult to do so. Often lately, when I feel discouraged, hopeless, or that God does not love me, I will say “Lord, even though it does not seem like it, I choose to believe that I am in your Sacred Heart right now, and that you are in me. I love you.” Then for the rest of my prayer time I just believe that, regardless of any feelings or discouragements. I know that it is true.

But I’m not very good at this! I get so discouraged! It is only grace that sustains me.

“The most beautiful act of faith is the one made in darkness, in sacrifice, and with extreme effort.”
- St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio)

To become a saint is the most beautiful life imaginable. Or rather, it is unimaginable.

The best part is that it is easy to become a saint. This may seem false, because for us it is so difficult that it is impossible. However, for God all things are possible. And this is not a mere technicality. That statement should not be said as if you were describing your chances at a lottery. But rather, it should be said as if you were describing the chances of a loving father picking up his child when it asks him.

For God, it is very easy for him to make us saints. And because of his infinite love and compassion, this is what He wants for each of us.

Jesus showed us on the cross His infinite love and how completely unreserved He is with His grace. A mother’s love for her child does not compare with His love for each of us. So it should come as no surprise that He desires to carry us all the way to sainthood. And since His arms are so wide open, it should come as no surprise that it is very simple and easy for us to come into His arms. We have only to allow ourselves to be carried by Him, and He will make us saints. He will draw us into a mystical marriage with Him, and thus we will be in an indescribable union with the Trinity, not only in the next life but now.

Please, souls, do not run from Him any longer. Do not resist His gaze. Do not hesitate to run into His arms. There is nothing more simple or easy in the world than to allow Jesus to make you a saint. There is nothing in Jesus that should make us hesitate to run to Him, or that should make us hesitate to believe that He will take care of everything, if you only let Him.

The words of St. Faustina:

“Let no soul, even the most miserable, fall prey to doubt; for as long as one is alive, each one can become a great saint, so great is the power of God’s grace. It remains only for us not to oppose God’s action.” (The Diary of St. Faustina, #283)

Our Lord to St. Gertrude:

“It gives Me real pleasure when men hope great things from Me and I will always grant them more than they expect.”