Today is September 4, Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time.
We read at today’s Mass, “He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:13-14).
Carlo’s love for the Eucharist expressed itself in daily Mass and frequent adoration. For him, these were not obligations but encounters with his best friend. He once explained, “When we put ourselves before the sun, we tan… when we put ourselves before the Eucharist, we become saints.”
This is the essence of holiness — friendship with Jesus. Carlo did not see Christ as an abstract figure or distant idea. Jesus was the most important presence in his life. That relationship gave him the strength to forgive, to be kind and to endure illness without despair.
Brief moments with Christ
It is easy to think of saints as extraordinary people who did great deeds. But Carlo’s example shows that sainthood begins with spending time with Jesus and allowing him to change us. Just as friends shape one another, so too Christ shapes those who stay near him.
Carlo’s ordinary teenage life — school, soccer, video games — was made extraordinary because of this friendship. He lived his days with joy because he was always aware that Jesus was with him.
For us, too, holiness begins here. We may not be able to spend hours in adoration, but we can carve out time, even brief moments, to be with Christ. Every encounter with him leaves us more alive, more joyful and more like him.
Let us pray,
God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that, by deepening our sense of reverence, and, by your watchful care, keep safe what you have nurtured. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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