He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, a reward from God his savior. Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

It has been a wonderful week of Feasts and Memorials in the Church this week. St. Paul, who through his miraculous conversion brought the Gospel and evangelization to much of the Gentile world. Sts. Timothy and Titus – his two most favored pupils and St. Thomas Aquinas – Priest and Doctor of the Church and the Patron Saint of dominant soccer in North County Missouri.

So my question for you this morning is who is it you see today that brings the blessings of God to light for you. Who is your modern day saint? I have a litany of saints whose intercession I seek every week. St. Cecilia – patron saint of music; Sts. Blaise, Thomas the Apostle, Anthony and Mary Magdalen – the patron saints of the parishes that have had the most influence on my faith. Sts. Jerome, Francis of Assisi and Stephan – patron saints of me (Jerome Francis Stephen Dorhauer, Sr.); Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael – our Archangels; St. Joseph – the perfect model of a family man and of course – St. Mary – mother of Jesus and mother of us all. But if you were to pick out one person alive today who is that “window” that sheds the light of Christ on you – who would that be?

Mine is my wife Sarah. She cleans for me, cooks for me…I guess you had to be there at my wedding to truly understand that reference. Sarah is the one who challenged me the most to make God my main focus each and every day of my life and because of that, I have been blessed with so much. Sarah’s faith in God; her loyalty to the faith; her trust in me; her willingness to accept children all have been a source of inspiration for me in my everyday life. The saints mentioned above all lived many moons ago and their dedication to God and His mission still ring true today. But for me to be able to personally find someone living that mission today is so important for my faith life and that someone is again, my beautiful wife Sarah.

Do something great for our Lord today – think about your litany of Saints who inspire you. I hope you too have someone who is alive and close to you who inspires you to do great things for God.

I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin.

God’s will, not mine, be done.

Be not afraid; just have faith.

Jesus, I trust in You.

He must increase; I must decrease.

Lord, if You wish, You can make me clean.

But you man of God chose righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness. Compete well for the faith.