Editor’s Note: This is a summary of a homily to kindergarten - 5th grade students from Fr. Ben Daghir at DuBois Central Catholic. (Luke 24:35-48).
The question to ask is never “Does God want me to be a saint?” We know the answer to that question. Of course, God wants us to be a saint. Instead, the correct question to ask is, “What kind of saint does God want me to be?”
God wants a wide diversity of saints. Like the different flowers in the springtime, He wants a wide variety. The different kinds of flowers with their array of colors make the hillside all the more beautiful. The Church is the same way: God wants a wild diversity of saints.
I couldn’t think of a more important message for elementary students. You are learning what gifts and talents you have. You are beginning to learn what you like and dislike. You are also learning what you are good at and not so good at. You are also learning what kind of saint God wants you to be.
Let me ask you, “What kind of saint does God want you to be?”
When God looks out at all of you, He sees mothers and fathers, religious sisters and priests, politicians and bankers, firefighters and teachers, doctors and lawyers, engineers and business owners.
“What kind of saint does God want you to be?”
God especially wants you to dream. He loves your imagination. When I was your age, I dreamed of being a Major League Baseball player. I realize now that I was never talented enough but it was still a great dream. I don’t regret all the hard work that I put into practice with my teammates. This dream helped me to grow as a person. I learned a tremendous amount about sacrifice, motivation, patience, overcoming adversity, and teamwork. Of course, these are all experiences that help me every day as a priest.
God used my small dream of being a Major League Baseball player to help me discover His plan in my life. The kind of saint God wants me to be is a priest-saint.
“What kind of saint does God want you to be?”
I know that all of you have dreams. Some of you are dreaming of being a firefighter, others of being on stage in New York City, others of playing football for the Pittsburgh Steelers and others of having a big family, and others of owning a business. Continue dreaming, the Lord will build upon your dreams.
There is nothing more remarkable than coming to know the kind of saint God wants you to be.
And since I see that many of you have Nike shoes on, I’ll conclude this homily with the following words: once you know God’s plan for you, just do it. The saints did it, and you can too.
+ Fr. Ben Daghir