Are You Talking To Me?

By Mary Jeppson

    When I first heard the words “universal call to holiness” I didn’t realize they were talking to me…a lay person.  Tradition had taught us that the priesthood and religious life had a greater claim to holiness than the laity. The Second Vatican Council changed that old tradition.  Everyone is called to Holiness. There are three major points the Council made about the call to holiness: the call is centered in Christ, it is intended for everyone, and holiness is found in the ordinary circumstances of life.

      If we could choose who would be the best example of what holiness is and how to live it …our choice should be Christ. Through prayer, reading Scripture, and through the liturgy we can become centered on the Word of God and learn more about Christ. Comfort can be found in knowing Christ is human as well as divine. “Because he is like us in all things but sin,” his life and message are an unending source of example.

      We’re back to “everyone” is called to holiness.  Many of us grew up believing the pursuit of holiness belonged only to certain groups and something far removed from ordinary folks. However, the truth is everyone who is baptized is worthy of holiness,

capable of holiness, and is called to holiness by God.  The journey begins with the acceptance of the call.

      “Holiness is found in the ordinary circumstances of life.” The old tradition did not focus on holiness in everyday life but rather separated it.  The Council gave a corrective for this view.  Unity should exist between faith and the ordinary activities of everyday life.

      “The split between the faith which they profess and the daily lives of many people is to be counted among the more serious misconceptions of our day.”  (GS, no. 43)  The Council teaches us that life and faith are intended for unity. “We are called to live in accord with our faith, and our faith is to be the primary guide for our everyday actions”.

      So what is holiness?  I’m sure we can all come up with a definition or have some idea of what it is.  It can be said holiness is an ongoing relationship with God.  One in which we know we are loved by God and we choose to live in a way that reflects that love through our actions with others.

      The call to holiness is a challenge for life because we can never be “finished” with loving and

responding to God.

God’s Holy People by Elissa Rinere in The Living Light

Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen gentium (LG)

Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et spes (GS)