By Zoe Cannon, Gratitude for the Gift of Faith
“You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever” (Psalm 16:11).
God’s presence makes us holy, and we cannot live a holy life without him. Our need for God is real because we live in a challenging world where values and temptations often contradict God’s plan for life. Encourage one another to pursue intimacy with God, because of you, someone’s life could be better.
Virtuous people keep the world balanced. We don’t talk enough about the differences between a virtue and a vice, and the consequences of this failure are witnessed daily. In love and humility, we juxtapose hate and pride. I am intentional about seeking the company of good and holy people, and I find them every day. These wonderful people are all different ages, they are family, friends or strangers, and they are found in familiar or unexpected places. When I leave their company, I feel better, because in their peaceful smile, I feel the love of Jesus.
“You must ask God to give you power to fight against the sin of pride, which is your greatest enemy, the root of all that is evil, and the failure of all that is good, for God resists the proud,” said St. Vincent de Paul.
On Aug. 12, I had the privilege of coordinating a luncheon in Vincennes for 30 seminarians from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. These young men discerning priesthood came to visit this holy ground where the first missionaries brought the faith to an uncivilized territory. They celebrated Mass where the first four bishops of the first diocese in Indiana are laid to rest in the crypt of the St. Francis Xavier Minor Basilica, the oldest church in Indiana. They toured the Brute Library on the campus, where artifacts from Servant of God Bishop Simon Brute are displayed. Looming in the background of this beautiful cathedral complex, where our Catholic faith history is celebrated, stands the George Rogers Clark National Monument, honoring our American history. Salvation history and secular history are inseparable.
Be intentional, living each day committed to understanding God’s purpose for your life. We all play a role in building up the Kingdom of God. We served lunch to young men who will one day offer the most sacred meal at the table of the Lord to all of us. Women from the “Flame of Love” prayer group and the St. Francis Xavier parish rosary group were grateful for the opportunity to prepare and serve the meal. A parishioner gifted the seminarians with a Vincennes history bag, which included an 8×10 picture of Pope Leo XIV, an explanation of his coat of arms, and an image of Divine Mercy Jesus, with Servant of God Bishop Simon Brute prayer cards. Our Church and our country are blessed by those who share love and humility! Since the beginning of time, people of faith have persevered in the struggle between good and evil. The loss of civility that we witness in our society is unsustainable … be a soldier for Christ. “The promise is for you and your children, as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” Acts 2:39 says, Pray for holy people to lead our Church and our country. I enjoyed the presence of such people in Vincennes during the luncheon. When you are intentional about seeking good, God will provide abundantly! Amen!