Universal Call to Holiness

"You did not choose me, but I chose you." (John 15:16)

As human beings, we have a specific call from the Lord. It matters not where we come from or what kind of past we have, we are ALL called by the Lord.

"And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too.'" (Matthew 20:3-4)

Although called to different vocations and ministries within the Church, we all share one call, the universal call to holiness. John Paul II, in his post-synodal apostolic exhortation Christifideles Laici, said that holiness is an "undeniable requirement" of the Christian faithful. (CFL 16) Holiness is an undeniable requirement because we are called to "be perfect just as [our] Heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48) and therefore must seek perfect charity and the highest levels of sanctity above all things. We share this call through the gift of our baptism which makes us heirs to the Kingdom of God and sharers in Christ's three fold mission of priest, prophet and king.

• We share his priestly mission as we continually offer ourselves and our daily activities to him and his sacrifice.
• We share his prophetic mission as we "accept the gospel in faith and proclaim it in word and deed, without hesitating to courageously identify and denounce evil." (CFL 14)
• We share his kingly mission "in the spiritual combat in which [we] seek to overcome in [our]selves the kingdom of sin and then make a gift of [our]selves so as to serve, ...Jesus who is himself present in all his brothers and sisters, above all the very least." (CFL 14)

And "thus it is evident to everyone, that all the faithful of Christ of whatever rank or status, are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity." (Lumen Gentium 40)  Therefore, as we progress in our spiritual lives and persevere in our journey towards heaven, we seek continual growth in holiness. John Paul II states, very profoundly, that "holiness is the greatest testimony of the dignity conferred on a disciple of Christ." (CFL 16) The very essence of God is bestowed upon us and it is in Him that we receive our dignity.

This week, let us reflect on the words of Pope St. Gregory the Great:

"Keep watch over the manner of life, dear people, and make sure that you are indeed the Lord's laborers. Each person should take into account what he does and consider if he is laboring in the vineyard of the Lord."

May our every action, thought, word and prayer be a reflection of the Holy One who created us!

Colossians 3:17

Written by Alycia, Special Events Coordinator for the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm