BE PRAYERFUL AND CONTENT TO REACH HOLINESS

PRAYER IS INCOMPLETE WITHOUT PRAYER

Prayer is incomplete unless we have helped someone or performed an act of charity. Jesus is not just asking what is lawful but what is meaningful. There would be no point in attending prayers, if one were unwilling to help one’s poorer brother in pain. Similarly, for a Christian to go to mass Sunday after Sunday or even day after day and see the same people with the same problems, and yet not even feel like helping them, is a sign of weakness in the spiritual life. When we are able to help a person but fail to do so, it is a sin of omission. The only excuse would be if our time and our energy were fully occupied in doing something else of greater value to God and the neighbour. Next time we participate in the Mass, let us look around the church and see who is in need, so that we can at least think of them and if possible, do something to help.

BE CONTENT WITH WHAT IS GIVEN TO YOU

One must not aim for the highest positions in life, whether in one’s job or in one’s family, especially in religious institutions. Rather, we should be content with what we have and should also be aware that society tends to lose its respect for someone who claims a higher station than is allotted to himself or herself. More than society, is God’s judgement, which follows the same principle: Those who are honest and accept their status modestly by choosing to remain in a position of humility, can expect to be honoured in the Kingdom, when roles will be reversed. But those who arrogantly expect the highest honours on earth may have to lose these honours in the afterlife, when someone who has truly been greater will occupy their positions.

WHAT IS HOLINESS

Holiness consists in simplicity, anonymity and humble purity of heart before God, while making peace among men and being ready to suffer for the sake of Christ. Sainthood is not the outcome of our striving after perfection but the consequence of the great love that the father has freely bestowed upon us, allowing us to be called children of God. As children of God, we are co-heirs with Jesus Christ and receive the promise of the beatific vision as long as we live according to our new identity. Even the greatest sinner can be transformed into a saint if he or she is humble of spirit and sincerely turns to the Lord in repentance.