“When you spend time in the presence of the sun, you get a tan… When you spend time in the presence of Jesus, you get holy.”
This was a simple and profound insight of St. Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint canonized by Pope Leo just a few weeks ago. Carlo had a deep love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, and he wanted to share that love with others.
But Carlo didn’t only attend Mass each day and look for opportunities to stay and pray in adoration, in the presence of our Eucharistic Lord. Carlo also went out to bring food and clothing to the poor and homeless on the streets of Turin.
Holiness is not looking like a statue or a prayer card. Holiness is looking like Jesus.
In the first reading today, the prophet Amos cries out against the injustice of God’s people. Last week, we heard Amos call to task those who celebrated feasts and festivals, just waiting for them to get over so they could get back to business and make a profit. These were observant folks. But their observance remained on the surface. Their hearts were not transformed by their pious practices.
Today, Amos writes about those who play the harp like David, the great composer of psalms and hymns to God. But their songs seem to deafen their ears to the needy, and the destruction around them is lost.
In the Gospel parable today, Jesus does not tell us whether the rich man was pious, devout or observant. Jesus does not rebuke him for having riches. But Jesus rebukes him for his inability to notice and respond to the needs of poor Lazarus at his doorstep.
St. Carlo sought to receive the Holy Eucharist often. “The more Eucharist we receive, the more we will become like Jesus, so that on earth we will have a foretaste of heaven.”
What does that foretaste of heaven look like? Apparently, it is not strumming harps on ivory couches. Nor is it enjoying sumptuous feasts in fine clothes. It is, as Carlo said, “becoming like Jesus.”
And what was Jesus like? How did he live in this world, with his heart fixed on his Father’s love? The words of today’s Psalm give us a vivid description of what God is like, and what we are called to be like as we spend time in his presence.
God is forever faithful God brings justice to the oppressed, provides food for the hungry and sets captives free. God protects strangers and cares for the fatherless and widow.
May our worship today make us holy, make us more like Jesus. May it be a true foretaste of heaven.
-Fr. Tom
