Fr Joseph M Esper - More Saintly Solutions

More Saintly Solutions to Lifes Common Problems

Fr. Joseph M. Esper

SOPHIA INSTITUTE PRESS
Manchester, New Hampshire

Copyright 2004 Rev. Joseph M. Esper

Except where otherwise noted, biblical quotations are based on the Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Copyright 1965, 1966, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

Cover design by Lorraine Bilodeau

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review, and by priests, deacons, and other pastoral ministers, who may make up to fifteen copies of particular pages as needed for use in their pastoral counseling ministry.

None of the advice contained in these pages is meant to take the place of the advice of professionals. If you have a problem that requires the services of a doctor, a lawyer, or another professional, seek that help as appropriate.

Sophia Institute Press
Box 5284, Manchester, NH 03108
1-800-888-9344
www.SophiaInstitute.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Esper, Joseph M.
More saintly solutions to lifes common problems / Joseph M. Esper.
p. cm.Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 1-928832-67-9 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Christian life Catholic authors. 2. Christian saints. I. Title.BX2350.3.E86 2004
282.0922 dc222004001280

04 05 06 07 08 09 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Also by Fr. Joseph M. Esper from Sophia Institute Press :

Saintly Solutions to Lifes Common Problems

The Canticle of Mary

My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for He has regarded the low estate
of His handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations
will call me blessed;
for He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His Name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts;
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree;
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel,
in remembrance of His mercy,
as He spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to His posterity forever.

Luke 1:46-55

Introduction

As we enter into the third millennium, human technological progress has reached dizzying and unprecedented heights; advances in science, medicine, engineering, transportation, and communication continue at a relentless pace, with breakthroughs occurring in these or related fields almost every day. Our accomplishments in these areas would have been unimaginable just one hundred years ago and if a visionary from the earliest days of the Church had been granted a glimpse into the twenty-first century, he would have been hard-pressed even to find the words to describe the wonders he saw, let alone explain how they were possible.

In so many fields of endeavor, the ancient world cannot begin to compare with our own, but theres at least one vitally important exception: the realm of spiritual growth and holiness. Beginning two thousand years ago, the followers of Jesus Christ starting in the most perfect way with the Blessed Virgin Mary began ascending new heights of religious and moral achievement, and in the centuries that followed, men, women, and children of every race and culture gave the world new and inspiring demonstrations of sanctity and self-giving. These heroes of human holiness the saints successfully faced many of the same struggles, and discovered the answers to many of the same questions, that we face today. Therefore, we citizens of our technologically wise and powerful twenty-first century can benefit immensely by reflecting humbly on their words and deeds and learning from their wisdom.

In its Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, the Second Vatican Council declared, All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of love. In this way, the council said, earthly society will be transformed, and through the use of Christs gifts by the members of the Church for the glory of God and the service of their neighbor, the holiness of the People of God will grow in fruitful abundance, as is clearly shown in the history of the Church through the life of so many saints.

This universal call to holiness stressed by Vatican II is by no means a new idea; the Church has always emphasized the importance of responding to Gods invitation to an ever-deepening relationship with Him an invitation extended to all Christs faithful. Near the end of the fourth century, for instance, St. John Chrysostom wrote, Is it perhaps only monks who are obliged to please God? No, God wishes that all should become holy and that none should neglect the practice of virtue. Because the saints who populate the Churchs Hall of Fame come from every culture, status, age, and way of life, they serve as a continuing source of inspiration and guidance through their words and example.

None of us can claim, Holiness isnt for me; Im just a sinner, for indeed, striving for holiness through active cooperation with Gods grace is the only possible way of overcoming or transcending our weak and sinful human nature. Moreover, the great English convert to Catholicism Gilbert Keith Chesterton wrote, There are saints indeed in my religion; but a saint only means a man who really knows that he is a sinner. With the glorious and divinely decreed exception of the Virgin Mary, all the saints were profoundly aware that they were sinners, in constant need of Gods mercy and assistance. The perfect life they now enjoy in Heaven can be a source of hope and inspiration for us here and now; the struggles and difficulties they faced on earth can be a source of consolation and encouragement in our own journey through life.

The heroes of God faced many of the same problems and weaknesses that afflict us today; they had to struggle with such things as anger, lust, pride, laziness, and uncertainty, enduring hunger, tiredness, and poor health; they were often unappreciated, misunderstood, and resented. The saints experienced grief, worry, and failure; they knew what it was to cope with little irritations and to bear heavy crosses. Thus, their words of advice and encouragement to us today bear the ring of truth and express a wisdom purchased at great cost and we can do ourselves a great favor by seriously considering, and whenever possible, acting upon, their suggestions.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta now declared Bl. Teresa of Calcutta (one step removed from saintly canonization) once attempted to minister to persons suffering from a natural disaster, but was overwhelmed by their grief and misery. What can I say to these people who have suffered so much? she asked the local bishop. How can I tell them about Gods love? The bishop, no doubt inspired by the Holy Spirit, gave her a simple but profound answer: Dont try to tell them about Gods Love. Be Gods love.

This is what the saints seek to do for us today not only to demonstrate Gods love by the way they lived, but, through their continuing intercession and prayers, to help us live in this spirit, growing ever more deeply in holiness and peace. Its my hope that this book, a companion to my earlier Saintly Solutions to Lifes Common Problems, will not only help you learn about the saints, but, more important, will help you become like them, hearing Gods unique call to you more clearly, and answering it more wholeheartedly in particular, by being Gods love to the people around you.

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