Moses wishes all were prophets, and Pope Francis has taught that all are called to lead saintly lives, even though none are perfect. In that spirit, on Wednesday he elevated to sainthood Junipero Serra, an 18th-century Spanish missionary who brought Catholicism to the American West Coast in a process both blessed and flawed. The canonization was polarizing. Serra is revered by Catholics for his missionary work, and many Latinos in the United States view his canonization as a badly needed acknowledgment of Hispanics' role in the American church. But some Native Americans say Serra enslaved converts and contributed to the spread of disease that wiped out indigenous populations. In July, Francis issued a broad apology for the church's sins against indigenous peoples.

Homily hint: All of us are products of our historical era. In hindsight our ancestors shortcomings may appear obvious and glaring, but in the context of the times, Serra and other missionaries negotiated as best they could with the tools they had. What we do know is that Serra was a man of faith who did the best he could. All of us can strive to do the same. Might all of us live saintly lives, as Serra strove to do.

For more on Serra’s life, legacy, and canonization, see: Pope canonizes 18th-century missionary; not everyone happy; Sainthood for Missionary Priest Is Disputed by Native Tribes; Hero or horror? Junipero Serra, priest behind Calif. missions, becomes a saint; What is driving Pope Francis’ canonization of Junípero Serra?