I finally got around to reading the latest papal exhortation, “On the Call to Holiness in Today’s World,” and I thought I would share my takeaways. Pope Francis explains the call each of us receive to become saints in his simplistic style giving us so much to ponder and realistic ways that each of us can become holy right where we are.
What holiness is:
Holiness is evident in those around us (parents, neighbors, elderly, children… the saints next door) people that inspire us demonstrate traces of holiness and because they are like us imperfect in the process of becoming holy, they can serve to encourage and inspire us.
Holy, each in our own way. Not all of us are called to religious or missionary lives, but we are called to be holy, each to our own capacity and in the world where we develop.
Through small gestures- Holiness occurs with our every action. When we choose not to gossip, when tempted to retaliate and we choose peace… when in every situation we try to give good witness to God.
Holiness happens in community. We need each other to become saints. It is other people that inspire and help us grow- that’s why Jesus gave us community - to come together in worship and seek each other for help, support and to accompany us in our path to heaven.
What holiness is not:
Holiness does not depend on my efforts- Holiness is a gift from God, it’s His grace in us. Everything that we accomplish is through Him, His progressive power to transform us.
Holiness is not a formula. Holiness is love, seeing the face of God reflected on all the other faces that we encounter and treating them as we would if they were Jesus himself.
Holiness doesn’t lack humility. Acknowledging our limitations allows grace to work within us in a genuine journey of growth. Humility makes room for the Holy Spirit to transform us to better reflect God.
Holiness is not knowing all the answers. Though it’s important that we educate ourselves we must always strive to learn to serve each other better and not to lord above those who know less than we do.
Holiness is the life mission and we must not be afraid to be let ourselves be guided by the Holy Spirit a spirit that loves and liberates us. “Holiness does not make you less human, since it is an encounter between your weakness and the power of God’s grace.”
In the words of León Bloy, when all is said and done, “the only great tragedy in life, is not to become a saint”.
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