St. Francis: Sign of Contradiction

In this talk, Father Pivonka spoke about our conversion to holiness and being light in the world. 

• Character Matters — If we are to share the gospel, character matters as it gives validation to our message.  Virtue and holiness matter too.  We are holy because God is holy.  Our life should look different from the world. People in the world should be able to see that God dwells in me.  The way we interact should be different because it is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me… And I need to be graphed to Him.
• Holiness is more about God, than about me.  When people see us and listen to us, they see something different.  Holiness is me being what God created me to be … and that is transformed and renewed.  Saints give us ideas as models, but we cannot be them.  There is a beautiful gift in you being you, the unique person you are.  Remember, we can impact some people where others cannot. Recognize your dignity and the holiness in it. Holiness is a process.  It is a journey and it takes time. How do we see ourselves on this journey of holiness?  What do I need to be converted from fear (which paralyzes us) and to (mirror of Christ). Consult not your fears, but your hopes and your dreams, not what you tried and failed, but what is possible.  
• Light of Christ — Our deepest fear is that we are inadequate.  But we must remember, we are each a child of God.  We are meant to shine.  Matthew 5:14-16 — “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.  Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”  We are sometimes afraid of being seen and others know we are fake.  When I live in the light, it is liberating.  
• Conversions— We must convert from control to trusting in the Lord, from anxiety to peace, from anger to forgiveness, from regret to surrender, from past to present, from our worldly possessions to spiritual riches.  A life of holiness is a life of love which is reflected by the love of God.  This life does not do things to be seen, but when we act lovingly, others notice. Jesus emptied His Godliness and became man.  We need to empty ourself to be more like Him.