When we think of holiness, we think of God – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We think of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Apostles. We think of saints and angels.
But every person who calls himself a Christian must strive to be holy. This universal call to holiness is a high standard but it is essential for Catholics.
Jesus taught about holiness in his words and by his actions. He provides the example that every Christian is called to imitate.
To be holy, it is necessary to transform ourselves so that what we want is the same as what God wants, and so that what we love is the same as what God loves.
God wants all of us to become saints:
“You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5: 48
Holiness is a gift offered to all:
You don’t have to be a nun or a priest to be holy:
“All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity.” All are called to holiness: “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” In order to reach this perfection the faithful should use the strength dealt out to them by Christ’s gift, so that . . . doing the will of the Father in everything, they may wholeheartedly devote themselves to the glory of God and to the service of their neighbor. Thus the holiness of the People of God will grow in fruitful abundance, as is clearly shown in the history of the Church through the lives of so many saints.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 2013
The followers of Jesus are God’s holy presence in the world:
The road to holiness is not for the lazy:
Finally all Christ’s faithful, whatever be the conditions, duties and circumstances of their lives—and indeed through all these, will daily increase in holiness, if they receive all things with faith from the hand of their heavenly Father and if they cooperate with the divine will. In this temporal service, they will manifest to all men the love with which God loved the world.
Pope Paul VI, Lumen Gentium, November 21, 1964
Don’t settle for a third-rate spiritual life:
The motivation to go from mediocrity to holiness:
Our holiness is less about us and more about God:
The Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of the Catholic Church
Let Jesus show you who you are:
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