By Kaka Lucas, 16th September

Gratitude is a big deal in my life.

A few weeks ago, I went to make dinner for some missionary brothers of mine who had made an event I had in the month of May so colorful. While we were sharing the meal, I had time to catch up with them and one of them seemed shy but very engaging. He wanted to know how I managed to walk out of the big double gates and high walls erected in the monastery by the commander and founder. He was so amazed when I told him how I use to walk out through those gates and come back through the same gates without any fear. I attributed all that courage to my beloved Saint, Padre Pio.

I had an extensive chat with the brothers; but something caught my attention. This young fellow found it weird that I could walk around in shorts or even tie a durag on my head at my recent beach trip and still be myself. He also found it so crazy that I could go to some places he considered not religious and hang out with friends. Being in some places listening to the 90’s old R&B music was something unheard of to him.  Going on a lunch or coffee date would sound much like an abomination to him, so I didn’t even bring it up. He at one point said, “I did not believe you are pursuing clergy life when I saw you on a video call with that long beard.” He and a few others at that table found it interesting that a young man could be following the ways of the Church and yet be himself. I took that chance to remind them that being clergy or religious does not rob you of who you are. If you want to be successful in whatever life you choose to follow, you must never forget to be yourself. You must be in the world, but not of the world. If you love cycling, take your time and do it. If you love reading novels, get them and read. And if you love cooking and baking, as I do, do not feel shy to go forward and do it, for your peace of mind and for the glory of God. Anything that separates YOU from YOU, from who you really are is not healthy. It is not healthy for you emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially. That is one big reason I left the walls of that compound. That is why I walked out of those gates without an intention to look back. It is because I was not allowed to be myself, even though sometimes I went too far.

 

Today, as I was scrolling through my social media pages, I found this very interesting article which was similar to the topic which I spoke about with my brothers, the missionaries. It is a poem that is attributed to Saint John Paul II.

 

“We need saints without cassocks, without veils – we need saints with jeans and tennis shoes. We need saints that go to the movies, Saints that listen to music, Saints that hang out with their friends. We need saints that place God in first place ahead of succeeding in any career. We need saints that look for time to pray every day and who know how to be in love with purity, chastity, and all good things. We need saints – saints for the 21st century with a spirituality appropriate to our new time. We need saints that have a commitment to helping the poor and to make the needed social change. We need saints to live in the world, to sanctify the world, and not be afraid of living in the world by their presence in it. We need saints that drink Coca-Cola, that eat hot dogs, saints that surf the internet, and saints that listen to their iPods. We need saints that love the Eucharist, that are not afraid or embarrassed to eat a pizza or drink a beer with their friends. We need saints who love movies, dance, sports, and theater. We need saints that are open, sociable, normal, happy companions. we need saints who are in this world and who know how to enjoy the best in this world without being callous or mundane. We need saints.”

I would add to that last statement by saying, ‘we need normal saints, or maybe to say ORDINARY SAINT would sound better’. Just be you!