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Thank you.

You're awesome.

Yay. And then go.

Wonder opens our hearts too.

The gift of life.

God at work.

Amazing possibilities.

Don't let the world steal your wonder.

St. Thomas Aquinas was one of the most intelligent men that ever lived. His Summa Theologica is foundational to Catholic theology and Western philosophy. After decades of writing and teaching, Aquinas had a profound mystical experience while celebrating Mass on December 6, 1273. After that day, he stopped writing entirely. When urged to continue, he replied with words that have echoed through the centuries, "All that I have written seems like straw to me compared with what has now been revealed to me." He died three months later. This was not false humility. He had devoted his life to understanding God through reason, philosophy, and the Scripture. And yet, when confronted with a mystical experience of God, he recognized how infinitesimal his intellectual grasp truly was.

Mystery is the native language of our faith. In a world obsessed with answers, mystery teaches us to patiently listen. It reminds us that there are realities that far exceed our explanation. Mystery doesn't ask us to abandon reason, but to let reason bow before something greater. These miracles we're exploring together awaken awe and wonder in a world that has become cynical about mystery.

Now, let's consider the incorruptibles. What are the incorruptibles? I've heard so many people ask this question over the years and watched as they stood in disbelief as it was explained. The incorruptibles are saints whose bodies miraculously resist natural decomposition after death, remaining soft and lifelike for centuries. This is seen as a sign of holiness and divine intervention, distinct from embalming methods or mummification. The human body decays rather quickly after death and burial. In less than two months, our body's cavities rupture, releasing gases that aid to continue the process. The soft tissues liquefy, and organs collapse. Decomposition continues, and in less than a year, the remaining tissue dries, and the body transitions from organic structure to skeletal remains. Some people argue this miracle is the result of embalming. But even the most modern techniques of embalming don't stop decay forever, nor do they preserve organs indefinitely. And they don't prevent long-term skeletonization. Catholic scholars estimate there are at least 120 incorrupt bodies among the saints and the blesseds. The oldest extensively documented incorrupt body of a Catholic saint is that of Saint Cecilia, a Roman martyr who died around AD 230. Her tomb was opened in AD 1599, nearly 1,400 years after her death. Her posture inspired the famous statue by Stefano Moderno, which reflects how her remarkably preserved body was observed at exhumation. St. Bernadette Soubirous was 14 years old when Our Lady appeared to her at the grotto at Lourdes. The grotto is a natural rock formation and served no religious purpose before the apparitions.

Bernadette died April 16, 1879. In a simple wooden coffin, in ordinary soil, with no embalming, she was buried. Under these conditions, rapid decomposition would normally occur. Her body was exhumed for the first time in 1909, 30 years after her death. Doctors expected skeletal remains. Instead, they reported her body was fully intact. Her skin was preserved and elastic. Her internal organs were present, her limbs flexible, and there was no odor of decay. Her religious habit and rosary were still intact. What is the significance of these incorrupt bodies? It's a mystery. Nobody knows, but they remind us that we will never stop being amazed at the many facets of our incredible faith.

Then there's Padre Pio, a modern saint whose life was a battlefield of immense suffering. He was a man with many extraordinary gifts and had many unimaginable mystical experiences. Saint Padre Pio died in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, on September 23rd, 1968. His body was first exhumed 40 years later, in 2008. His skeletal structure was fully intact. Soft tissue was still present. His beard and hair were visible. His hands and feet were preserved. I had the opportunity to view his body in 2015 when I visited San Giovanni Rotondo with one of Dynamic Catholics' pilgrimages and it was quite extraordinary to behold.

And there are so many more. Saint Vincent de Paul, St. John Vianney, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Rita, Saint Clare of Assisi, St. John Bosco, and the list goes on and on. Each example, extraordinary in its own right, and each challenging us to reverence the mystical. And then again, perhaps these bodies of holy men and women ask a simple question that inspires and haunts us all at the same time. If today were your last day, would you be ready to meet your maker? And if your life were to end today, what legacy would you leave behind? These holy men and women left behind immense legacies of love, not the least of which is the proof that holiness is possible. And that changes everything. Holiness is possible. Some moments are holy, some moments are unholy, and you get to decide. So keep that in mind. Holiness is possible. Everyone and everything in today's culture will try to convince you that it isn't, but that's all lies. Holiness is possible for you if you take it one moment at a time. And one holy moment can change the whole trajectory of your life. So if your life needs a new direction, if your life needs a shift in momentum, get started today, collaborating with God to create some holy moments.

Trust, surrender.

Believe.

Receive.

Don't let the world steal your wonder.

What is today's lesson? Mystery is the native language of our faith. It is a beautiful thing to learn more about God, to form our mind in the truths of the faith, and to contemplate the Holy Scriptures. But in our quest to expand our understanding of God and His plans for humanity, it is crucial to keep in mind that for all we know about God, He remains an eternal mystery. Get comfortable not having the answer to everything. And the virtue of the day, purity of heart. This is a virtue few people have the courage to even think about. Purity of heart is the freedom to desire one thing above all else. It is an undivided interior life, cleansed of double motives and quiet compromises. A pure heart seeks God honestly, loves without manipulation, lives with integrity, and allows truth to shape both thoughts and actions. I want to invite you today to become a member of Dynamic Catholics Ambassador Club. It's amazing if people will give $10 a month or $20 a month. It's amazing the impact that can be had for millions and millions and millions of people. At Dynamic Catholic, we are working on a couple of amazing new projects that we're excited to share with you towards the end of the year, but we need your help. So click the button below and become an Ambassador today. Choose your welcome gifts. That's great welcome gifts. Isabelle loves the welcome gifts. And remember, Be Bold, Be Catholic.

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

God of miracles, wonders, and grace.

I thank you for all the good you have done in my life.

For the miracles I recognize and the many graces I so often overlook.

I open my heart completely to you today.

Inviting you.

To completely inhabit my soul.

So that through me.

Others may encounter your love.

Your mercy.

Your compassion.

Your kindness.

And your staggering generosity.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Thank you, Ambassadors. You are changing the world. Have a great day.

Have a great day.

Have a great day.