The Saints were not superhuman. They were people who loved God in their hearts, and who shared this joy with others.
Interpretation
Saints are ordinary people who deeply love God and spread joy to others.
In this quote, Pope Francis emphasizes that saints are not extraordinary beings but rather regular individuals who exhibit a profound love for God in their hearts. Their significance lies in their ability to share this joy and love with the world around them, illustrating that holiness is accessible to everyone, not just the select few.
In practice
In a sermon about kindness, a pastor might quote this to emphasize the importance of joyful love in our lives.
We are a church of sinners but we must not be afraid of holiness. Do not be afraid to aim for holiness and turn yourselves over to the love of God. Holiness does not mean performing extraordinary things but carrying out daily things in an extraordinary way that is with love, joy and faith.
I join the March for Life in Washington with my prayers. May God help us respect all life, especially the most vulnerable.
No one must say that they cannot be close to the poor because their own lifestyle demands more attention to other areas. This is an excuse commonly heard in academic, business or professional, and even ecclesial circles. While it is quite true that the essential vocation and mission of the lay faithful is to strive that earthly realities and all human activity may be transformed by the Gospel, none of us can think we are exempt from concern for the poor and for social justice
We face so many challenges in life: poverty, distress, humiliation, the struggle for justice, persecutions, the difficulty of daily conversion, the effort to remain faithful to our call to holiness, and many others. But if we open the door to Jesus and allow him to be part of our lives, if we share our joys and sorrows with him, then we will experience the peace and joy that only God, who is infinite love, can give.
More and more people work on Sundays as a consequence of the competitiveness imposed by a consumer society.
This Christmas may we be consistent in living the Gospel, welcoming Jesus into the centre of our lives.
It is God who gives us the spirit of worship (Psalm 133:3), and it is what we know of God that produces this spirit of worship. We might say that worship is simply theology, doctrine, what we think about God, going into top gear! Instead of merely thinking about Him, we tell Him, in prayer and praise and song, how great and glorious we believe Him to be!
The church that can't worship must be entertained. And leaders who can't lead a church to worship must provide the entertainment.
The outpouring of Christ's blood is the source of the church's life.
The story of Ramakrishna is a story of religion in practice. His life enables us to see God face to face.... In this age of skepticism Ramakrishna presents an example of a bright and living faith which gives solace to thousands of men and women who would otherwise have remained without spiritual light.
In times of affliction we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God.
The first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day is to have my soul happy in the Lord.
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