Some thoughts about Holiness

To be holy literally means to be "set apart for a special purpose or use." (theopedia.com) Thus, all of us, Christians, are called to set our lives apart from the standards of this world. We need to live a life that is consistent to the greatest commandments of the Lord, that is,“to love the Lord, our God, with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds; and to love our neighbors as ourselves." (cf. Matthew 22:37-39) Only by taking these commandments by heart and translating it into action can we truly achieve the Holiness willed by God.


As I've said in my previous post, HOLINESS IS A CHOICE. It requires a serious commitment for it to be lived. God is Holy, and therefore, He expects us to be holy, too. But in this day and age, holiness seems to be a laughing matter for most people, thinking that those who are practicing and trying to be one is a hypocrite. Just like in the early days of Christianity, those who are publicly preaching the Gospel are being mocked and persecuted, but who cares about mockery and persecution when we know in our hearts that the kingdom of heaven are for those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness? Even the Lord Jesus Himself warned His disciples about this when He said, "no slave is greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." (cf. John 15:20) But we must never be anxious because it is in these mockeries and persecutions that our journey to holiness will be made perfect. This is clearly affirmed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2015 which states: "the way of perfection passes by way of the Cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle."

Brothers and Sisters, it is not enough that we are called Christians, we must be HOLY Christians who are ready to endure everything, even death, for the sake of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.