Oh when the Saints....

Normally with this title most who know me would wonder "is he talking football or religion?" Well I am actually pretty excited about both. To start off with, I have been a New Orleans Saints fan for my entire life and have been through some really down times as a Saints football fan. With that being said... The first 2 weeks of the NFL season have been awesome!!! I am starting to think that no one can stop the Saints offense and that the defense is doing what it needs to do and all of this will continue to go on for the whole season, which will end up in theSuperbowl in Miami. A Black and Gold Superbowl. I am aware that in the NFL it is very unrealistic to think that the Saints will go undefeated, but at this point a 12-4 record is not out of the question.

I am also very excited by the Lives of the Saints and what the religious Saints have done for us through Jesus Christ. I have been contemplating the stories and lives of the Saints based on the feast days of the Church and a saint of the day type book that I have. When I read a story about a saint who lived in the 1100's I have a very tough time relating that story to my life. However, when I can take words such as poverty, suffering, conversion, etc. I can relate those to things that I go through today. And the examples of these saints provides me with the strength and desire to make the most out of my situation. As most people who know me are aware of I have a special love and admiration of Saint Padre Pio. His feast day was yesterday 9/23. In reflecting on his suffering and how he turned that around for the good of others he did wonderful things, and continues to do them today. The following excerpt from Pope John Paul II is a peek into the life of Padre Pio.

At Padre Pio's canonization Mass in 2002, Pope John Paul II referred to that day's Gospel (Matthew 11:25-30) and said: “The Gospel image of 'yoke' evokes the many trials that the humble Capuchin of San Giovanni Rotondo endured. Today we contemplate in him how sweet is the 'yoke' of Christ and indeed how light the burden are whenever someone carries these with faithful love. The life and mission of Padre Pio testify that difficulties and sorrows, if accepted with love, transform themselves into a privileged journey of holiness, which opens the person toward a greater good, known only to the Lord.”

I truly believe that following the lives of the many Saints that the Catholic religion has canonized and learning to reverence and live for Jesus through them will help lead to the heavenly gates. I also believe that following the New Orleans Saints this year will lead me to the "heaven" of Superbowl Victory!! ( I do realize that a sports team winning an event is nowhere near the greatness that God willl give us in heaven, but maybe it will be a good appetizer)