And there's that feeling of returning to reality after hearing a story of amazing courage. Not exactly always a fun experience, coming back to daily life and realizing that my life is not as visibly huge as the lives of many who have gone before me.
But sometimes, it gives me a charge, especially after watching some of my favorite movies such as Return of the King or The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Each of the well-developed characters had huge responsibilities that they had to face and temptations that they had to overcome, and although they are fictional, their stories are the stuff of legends.
For me, it's often difficult to picture people of that grandeur and courage living today... Who would they be? Would we notice them? Would they become celebrities who are basically worshipped, or would they carry on normal lives?
When I was younger, I wanted a normal, average, life. I didn't want to be famous, I didn't want attention, and I was content to be a child unnoticed by anyone but my closest friends, family, and teachers. Since then, I've become a little disgusted with myself at how I sometimes long for attention and fame...
Deep down, though, I think it's truly the desire for More, disguised and perverted by the Devil as a yearning for power. None of us wants to live a mediocre or dull life. It can happen, undoubtedly, if we give up on the hope of something greater than what this world can offer us. Perhaps that's one reason for the proliferation of depression these days; many have lost purpose. Why live if money or power is your god? There is always more money, more people to dominate to get into a higher position. Such a sad existence.
Once in a while, modern people have stood up and shown the world a different possibility. Pope JPII, Mother Teresa, and Ghandi are just a few of the people that actually received attention from the media, from people stunned at a group of individuals who stood for something more than just fashion statements or the next "big break."
And those people are encouraging, but sometimes we forget that these kinds of individuals are people. That they have struggles, and don't always do the right thing. Matthew Kelly (Rediscovering Catholicism) calls it the "pedestal" problem, where we honor those people, but forget that they are like us, that we can become like them by overcoming the love affair that our society has with apathy. That we are all called to greatness, but perhaps not in the spotlight.
That is one reason I love, love, love being Catholic. We have the saints! People from every background, every social status... All of whom had struggles, and all of whom sought something greater than themselves. Many of them were not even known until after they had passed from this world. The reason we know them now is because they lived lives on fire for God, each in their own unique way, in their own vocation. And they were PEOPLE. Sometimes I find myself forgetting that, thinking that they are these shiny, intangible beings that sit in heaven and pray for us when we ask because they feel sorry for us.
But they pray for us because they love us, and most of them have dealt with the same struggles, and many of the same sins that we fall under. They are pretty darn awesome, and I'm thankful when God grants me the grace to realize it.
And all the nameless saints that we don't know, more people who led extraordinary lives in ordinary situations. I'm sure there are many priests, sisters, deacons, married and single people who loved God and remained unnoticed by the world at large throughout their lives, but arrived in heaven and were greeted by Jesus calling them home. I can only hope and pray to follow in their footsteps, wherever and however God is calling me to live my life.
And I can't forget the unborn children. Generations of babies who never left their mother's womb alive, but who live forever with God. My cousin, for one. And those children who died young... I met two who left the world at three months, Peter and Gianna. All guaranteed saints, willing to pray for us!
We are all called to be saints. I haven't figured out my main vocation yet, but that doesn't mean I can't fulfill my current vocation as a student (during the summer, of course) by doing God's will now and today, where he has placed me. I may never be famous in a worldly way, but I can seek to honor God with the gift of my time and life. There are struggles. I am human, but I know I was made for more. Come, Holy Spirit!
I know it's not a Bible verse, but I think the phrase "bloom where you are planted" works in this situation... And I like flowers, and yellow is my favorite color, so... this is my "Bloom where you are planted" picture:
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