Today I read Matthew Kelly’s quick read: Rediscover the Saints: Twenty-five questions that will change your life.  It was very helpful and gave me a much-needed make-over in how I view the saints.  Let me explain. 

What’s the first word you think of when you hear the words “saints?”  If you’re a sports addict like my husband, you might jokingly say “football.”  In all seriousness though, you might say something like:

  • Holy
  • God’s Friends
  • Halo
  • Models
  • Francis, Patrick, Mother Theresa

I however said “suffering.”  Maybe it’s just me?

Honestly what I most remember learning about saints growing up is that they were either martyrs or suffered very tragic and painful deaths or very horrible things happened to them.  Perhaps this stands out to me because it would leave me thinking, “Why would anyone want this?” 

I also think this word sticks with me because of the visual portrayal that’s typically used for saints.  When I look through my prayer cards and religious figures, they look somber at best, depressing at worst.  I mean they don’t exactly give off a “Marie Kondo” sort of vibe.  Seriously, if you’re an artist looking for an untapped market, please give these good people the visual representation they deserve!

In his book, Matthew Kelly questions, “How many parents hope and pray their children will grow up to become saints?” (p. 85) Honestly this thought has never crossed my mind.  I pray for my children to be happy, healthy, and safe and those aren’t things I naturally associate with saints.  So clearly, I have a dysfunctional mindset when it comes to sainthood and I desperately needed to read this book.  In honor of the 12 apostles, here are my top 12 take-aways.     

  1.  We put saints up on a pedestal to separate ourselves from them, so that we can remain complacent.  In reality, the saints were just ordinary people changing the world, one holy moment at a time.  We need to stop having such a narrow and restrictive views of saints.    
  2. God simply wants us to become the best version of ourselves.  Our religion is the most tried and true method of obtaining this. 
  3. Never trust an easy path and comfort can be a slippery slope. Teresa of Avila said “Our body has this defect that, the more it is provided care and comforts, the more needs and desires it finds.” (p. 30)
  4. Saints lived their lives in the fullest, most efficient manner.  They understood our physical lives are short and we should not waste our time here. 
  5. Spend time with the poor.  There is no relationship with God without having a relationship with the poor.   
  6. Many saints had friends, siblings or parents who were saints.  Holiness is contagious.
  7. Doubt is not necessarily bad.  In fact, doubt can help deepen our faith. 
  8. The saints were kings and queens of continuous learning, best practices, emotional intelligence, routines, and rituals. 
  9. God chooses the most unlikely to do his work, and the saints chose to surrender to this calling. 
  10. The saints make up the most diverse group in history, all coming from different walks of life, but all have one thing in common: prayer.    
  11. It is possible to be both critical and faithful to the church at the same time.    
  12. All Saints Day does not just recognize those who have been canonized, but all those who have attained heaven. 

As always, Matthew Kelly made some excellent points.  A lot that I needed to hear and be reminded of. 

Each chapter also included a themed prayer, so I will end with the one that resonated with me the most: 

Lord,

I am open to your possibilities.  Please fill me with the wisdom, grace and courage I need to step out of my self-imposed limitations and live in your possibilities. 

Amen

p. 72