A Holy Nobody

Freeimages.com (2016), CC0 Public Domain[/caption] As a Roman Catholic, I know we have thousands of people whose lives were examples of true virtue. They come from all walks of life so that we can find commonality with them. Their canonization is for the sole purpose of being companions in prayer for us on this side of Heaven.

The witnesses who have preceded us into the kingdom, especially those whom the Church recognizes as saints, share in the living tradition of prayer by the example of their lives, the transmission of their writings, and their prayer today. (CCC 2683-84)

All Christians are called to holiness, but not all Christians are made saints. Still, we knew them on a personal level and know that they are in Heaven where they belong now. They were relatives, teachers and common folk who by their lives inspired us in good ways. They showed their neighbors what God's love in the world looked like. These loved ones were examples of living a saintly life. These are the holy nobodies. "A Holy Nobody" by Ebeth (CatholicMom.com)

Chester in 1967. Courtesy of Ebeth; all rights reserved.[/caption] My father-in-law, Chester, is a holy nobody for sure. I do not recall him ever having a bad thing to say about another person, and he was always willing to pitch in and help at their church. My father-in-law treated his wife of 60 years like royalty; one of the last things I remember him saying was that she was his princess. He lived in Houston, Texas, and I remember one very hot summer morning, seeing him wheeling an elderly lady to church 2 blocks away. He never thought twice about taking the time and bearing the heat so this woman could get to the service. As a grandfather, he loved his grandchildren to no end. The list goes on of all the selfless deeds he did without a moment of thought. He was a gentle soul with a big heart for family and neighbors and his church. These lovely witnesses of God's love probably had a saint or two that inspired them to live the lives they did. But, more than likely, they knew a holy nobody of their own.