Clarity of purpose

As we begin another year, there undoubtedly will be much talk about New Year’s resolutions, financial and business goals for the coming year, and so on. There is certainly nothing wrong with these things. I believe to set exciting goals is critically important in business and life. In fact, I have written on this topic in a past column. 

Yet, all too often, it is easy to be caught up in the here and now versus what really matters. (I speak from experience here.) However, as Catholics we profess that our ultimate goal, our true home, is heaven, and we are to witness this belief in our everyday lives — to be ambassadors of Christ to those around us. I think this is one of the things that makes the lives of the saints so impactful: to meet a saint is to meet someone whose life is heavenly oriented. 

I was reflecting recently on the fact that I had the amazing privilege of meeting two future saints, Pope St. John Paul II and St. Teresa of Kolkata. I will never forget those encounters! I remember meeting John Paul II in his private chapel and looking into those eyes just before receiving Communion from him… I will never forget that moment. Similarly, I met Mother Teresa in Denver when she came for World Youth Day in 1993. We met in an airport hangar of all places.

I had heard so much about her. She was so humble and unassuming, yet she had a presence about her that is hard to describe.

The lives of these two modern-day saints had a clarity of purpose that was unmistakable. Each of them was fully engaged in the things of this world, and yet their lives were unflappably fixed on heaven. Neither was afraid to suffer. In fact, both endured great hardships and trials throughout their lives, yet they had an underlying joy and peace that I was privileged to encounter. 

I am sure there are many parallels between these two saints and how they lived their lives. However, as we begin this new year, I offer one for your reflection: the centrality of Christ in the Eucharist in their lives. Each of them started their days with a Holy Hour and Mass. Both spoke often about the centrality of the Eucharist in their lives. We are familiar with the Catechism’s teaching that the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our faith. These two saints are witnesses to how this truth has impacted our world.