Ask students the question, “Who will be remembered as a saint 800 years from now?” After some discussion the general response almost always is, “John Paul II and Mother Teresa.” Then I ask, “Who do you think was the person who was most influential in transforming people and the world 800 years ago in the 1200’s?” People will say they don’t have any idea. When I do this I will then say, “I will give you a clue and I bet that every one of you know who this person is.” I will not say the person’s name but only the city where that person lived. “When I say the clue, I want you to raise your hand when you know who it is. Ready? Set? Here is the clue: “He was from Assisi.” They all answer, “St. Francis.” Then I ask, “What is it that all three of these people had in common?”
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Do this, and as you lead the discussion, help the students to see that common points were that they were people of prayer and faith who gave their lives totally to Christ and the Church. They did not simply want to be acceptable, or good, but to be holy, to strive to be the best they could through the grace of God.
The holiest priests and saints do not strive simply to be good. They understand the law of spiritual generation, that if we want to lead people to be saints, then we cannot strive for less. Only a total surrender to God’s grace can make this possible. How far will you go to bring Christ to others?
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