Hello friends. Today we'll finish up our reflection about Unity, in the Holy Trinity and Mirrored in the Holy Family, the second key foundation (charism) of the congregation. We'll think about it as it pertains to our own union with Christ, and how that becomes our true freedom.
Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s huge compassion, demonstrated by her actions and her words, continues to inspire the whole world. Saint Francis of Assisi remains an Icon of universal brotherhood and love for all creation eight centuries after his death.
If you were to ask either of them what was the source of their great love, in a heartbeat each would say, “the love of Jesus”: their union with Christ.
We grow to become like what we love! When at the center of our life is the love of Jesus and union in Christ, we open ourselves to receive His graces, His Person, and we become like Him more and more. The great paradox is that, at the same time, each one becomes his best self, the person the Father created him to be, leaving behind, bit by bit, that stuff inside through which one hurts others and himself.
In our spirituality we call it “being conformed to Christ.” Saint Paul could say, “It is no longer I who live by Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Our most perfect model is Our Holy Mother, Mary. It's true freedom.