# Sometimes you have to eat dirt first
*2016-06-27*

> Bill Young reflects on the humility of St. Leopold Mandic and a simple observation of nature to discuss the necessity of hardship in the pursuit of holiness.

## The Humility of St. Leopold Mandic

Today is July 28, the feast day of St. Leopold Mandic. St. Leopold lived from 1897 to 1942, during the era of World War II. He was a great confessor who, despite being sickly and having a voice that was difficult to hear in public, spent up to 13 hours a day in the confessional. Even bishops came to him for confession. While his goal was unity within the Church—a goal he may not have seen fully achieved in his lifetime—God gave him many other graces.

St. Leopold used to repeat a powerful reminder to himself: "Remember that you have been sent for the salvation of people, not because of your own merits, since it is the Lord Jesus and not you who sacrificed himself." Let us remember that everything we do is for our Lord Jesus.

## Eating Dirt to Achieve Holiness

I recently had an amusing experience in my backyard with a bird feeder. I noticed some ducks eating seeds that had trickled down to the ground. To get to the food, they basically have to eat dirt first. I saw a male duck pecking at a female duck, and when I told them they needed to learn to share, the male duck responded by scooping up some dirt and pouring it on the female. In his mind, I suppose sharing meant sharing dirt.

This reminded me that we all, in a sense, have to "eat dirt" first to achieve the goals we want in life, especially if we want to become holy. If you look at the lives of the saints, or those in the seminary and those becoming sisters, they often had to endure hardships and humility—figuratively eating dirt—before reaching their goal. Next time you find yourself in a difficult or humbling situation, remember that it is part of the process of achieving your goal.

## A Prayer to Our Lord Jesus Christ

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, you have redeemed us with your precious blood. We adore you, the infinite price paid to ransom the universe and the mysterious purification of our souls. Your divine blood is the pledge of our salvation before the merciful Father. May you always be blessed and praised, O Jesus, for the gift of your blood, which you offered in the spirit of love unto the last drop, allowing us to participate in the divine life.

May the blood you poured out for our redemption purify us from sin and save us from the temptations of the devil. O blood of the new and eternal covenant, our drink in the Eucharist, unite us to God and to each other in love, peace, and mutual respect, especially for the poor. O blood of life, unity, and peace, mystery of love and spirit of grace, imbue our hearts with the Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus, we would like to atone for the ingratitude and the outrages of which your creatures continually offer. Accept our lives in union with the offering of your blood, so that through your own blood we can make up for all the hardships that still have to be undergone by Christ for the benefit of the Church and the redemption of the world. Lord Jesus Christ, may all people atone, bless, and thank you here on earth and in the glory of heaven with hymns of praise. You have redeemed us, O Lord, with your precious blood and have made us a kingdom for our God. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

## World Youth Day and the Lessons of History

This week is World Youth Day in Poland. Our Archbishop, Thomas Wenski, along with several other American bishops and priests—including our pastor, Father Jeff McCormick—are attending. We pray that they not only seek our Lord but learn valuable lessons. Many of them are visiting Auschwitz, which is a shocking revelation for young people. Having visited the Holocaust Museum in D.C., I know how shaking it is to realize that people actually lived and suffered in those death camps. It is a necessary awakening.

Pope Francis has also arrived for World Youth Day. We pray that our Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit protect him and guide him as he leads the youth of the world. Let us pray that everyone has a safe trip and returns with a renewed desire to praise our Lord Jesus Christ.

*When you find yourself 'eating dirt' in life, offer that hardship to our Lord Jesus Christ, and you will realize that the dirt can turn into gold.*