Summary
The Feast of All Saints is celebrated, emphasizing the call to holiness for all believers. Jude Hennessy leads a discussion on the significance of sainthood and the importance of living a life in union with the Holy Spirit. Father Mark D. Batista reflects on the nature of sainthood, asserting that while becoming a saint is theoretically simple, it requires daily commitment and self-denial in practice. He encourages listeners to embrace the idea of striving for holiness each day.
Bishop Tony Percy shares insights from Pope Francis's document "Rejoice and Be Glad," which outlines the call to holiness and identifies subtle enemies of this pursuit. He emphasizes that holiness can be found in everyday life and interactions, urging individuals to recognize their unique paths to sainthood rather than comparing themselves to canonized saints. Trish McCarthy discusses the importance of language in faith, likening the journey of faith to learning a new language that requires immersion and practice to gain depth and meaning.
Deacon Josh Clayton highlights the value of small groups in fostering community and spiritual growth, drawing parallels to Jesus's own practice of leading in small groups. He encourages listeners to engage with their communities, share challenges, and support one another in their faith journeys. The episode concludes with a reminder of the joy and hope found in the pursuit of holiness and the communal aspect of faith.
Show Notes
On The Journey This Week Fr Mark De Battista says the Solemnity of All Saints honours everyone in heaven, not only those formally canonized. Mother Hilda says by inviting God into our hearts each day we recognise God’s presence and when bad thigs happen, distinguish what is not of God. Plus, Bishop Tony Percy, Trish McCarthy, and Deacon Josh Clayton
More from The Journey Podcast
Mother Hilda says by inviting God into our hearts each day, we become better able to recognise God’s presence in the good things in our lives and when bad thigs happen, distinguish what is not of God, bringing greater clarity, freedom and peace
Fr Mark De Battista says the Solemnity of All Saints honours everyone in heaven, not only those formally canonized. Becoming a saint is therefore not a single decision but a lifelong, daily dedication, starting each day with a personal commitment; "Today I want to be a saint."
Bishop Tony Percy says we become saints by allowing Christ’s love to transform our hearts while remaining true to the unique people God created us to be. Surely everyone who entertains this hope, everyone who entertains the hope of being a saint must try to be as pure as Christ
Trish McCarthy says faith is like learning a new language: A meaningful faith journey requires us to invest time and energy through study, practice, relationships and learning from others, allowing faith to shape our lives and deepen our understanding of God
Deacon Josh Clayton says small groups are essential to Christian life, just as they were central to Jesus’ ministry. Within church communities, small groups allow people to share their struggles, be vulnerable, support one another and serve others, helping them grow as disciples of Christ