HOLINESS is always tied to LITTLE GESTURES. ... These little gestures are those we LEARN AT HOME, in the family; they get lost amid all the other things we do, yet they do make each day different.
They are the QUIET THINGS done by MOTHERS and GRANDMOTHERS, by FATHERS and GRANDFATHERS, by CHILDREN. They are LITTLE SIGNS of tenderness, affection and compassion. Like the warm supper we look forward to at night, the early lunch awaiting someone who gets up early to go to work. HOMELY GESTURES. Like a blessing before we go to bed, or a hug after we return from a hard day’s work. Love is shown by LITTLE THINGS, by attention to SMALL DAILY SIGNS which make us feel at home.
Faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life, and life to become faith.
-- POPE FRANCIS in Philadelphia, 27 Sept 2015
Holiness in homely gestures
A Christian is always in the making
The purpose of Lent is to keep alive in our consciousness and our life the fact that BEING a Christian can only take the form of BECOMING a Christian EVER ANEW; that it is not an event now over and done with but A PROCESS requiring CONSTANT PRACTICE."
--Benedict XVI, in Dogma and Preaching, Ignatius Press 2011)
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ
1 Cor 11:1
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Imitatores mei estote sicut et ego Christi.
Commentary from the Navarre Bible
... St. Paul proposed himself as a model not because he is the exemplar of all virtues but because by imitating his life and following in his footsteps we are following those of Christ, who is our only proper model. The same applies to all other saints: their lives teach us to practise the Christian virtues. "To look on the lives of those who have faithfully followed Christ is to be inspired with a new reason for seeking the city which is to come (cf. Heb 13:14 and 11:10), while at the same time we taught to know a most safe path by which, despite the vicissitudes of the world, and in keeping with the state of life and condition proper to each of us, we will be able to arrive at perfect union with Christ, that is, holiness. God shows to men, in a vivid way, his presence and his face in the lives of those companions of ours in the human condition who are more perfectly transformed into the image of Christ (cf. 2 Cor 3:18)" (Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, 50)
What does 'to sanctify' mean?
What does it mean to 'sanctify'? According to biblical understanding, sanctity or 'holiness' in the fullest sense is attributable only to God. Holiness expresses his particular way of being, divine being as such. So the word 'sanctify' (qados [qadosh] is the word for 'holy' in the Hebrew Bible) means handing over a reality--a person or even a thing--to God, especially through appropriation for worship. This can take the form of consecration for sacrifice (cf Exodus 13:2; Deuteronomy 15:19); or, on the other hand, it can mean priestly consecration (cf Exodus 28:41), the designation of a man for God and for divine worship.
The process of consecration, 'sanctification', includes two apparently opposed, but in reality deeply conjoined, aspects. On the one hand, 'consecrating' as 'sanctifying' means setting apart from the rest of reality that pertains to man's ordinary life. Something that is consecrated is raised into a new sphere that is no longer under human control. But this setting apart also includes the essential dynamic of 'existing for'. Precisely because it is entirely given over to God, this reality is now there for the world, for men, it speaks for them and exists for their healing. We may also say: setting apart and mission form a single whole.
The connection between the two can be seen very clearly if we consider the special vocation of Israel: on the one hand, it is set apart from all other peoples, but for a particular reason--in order to carry out a commission for all peoples, for the whole world. That is what is meant when Israel is designated a 'holy people'.
--Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth. Holy Week, p 86
No little things in God's plan
In God’s great plan, every detail is important, even yours, even my humble little witness, even the hidden witness of those who live their faith with simplicity in everyday family relationships, work relationships, friendships. There are the saints of every day, the “hidden” saints, a sort of “middle class of holiness” to which we can all belong.
--Pope Francis, Homily, 14 April 2013, St Paul outside the Walls
Holiness -- anytime, anyplace
It is therefore an error and even a heresy to wish to exclude the exercise of devotion from military divisions, from the artisans’ shops, from the courts of princes, from family households. I acknowledge, my dear Philothea, that the type of devotion which is purely contemplative, monastic and religious can certainly not be exercised in these sorts of stations and occupations, but besides this threefold type of devotion, there are many others fit for perfecting those who live in a secular state.
Therefore, in whatever situations we happen to be, we can and we must aspire to the life of perfection.
--Saint Francis de Sales (bishop), The Introduction to the Devout Life
因此，以下的作法不僅是錯 誤，而且也是異端：即把熱心 神業從軍營中，從工人的工地 中，從君王的朝廷中，從已婚 者的家庭中驅逐出境。親愛的 斐洛德啊！我承認純默觀性、 隱修和修會的熱心神業，為以 上所說的這些人們、絕無法實 踐。但是，除此三種熱心神業 以外，還有許多其他的熱心神 業，適合於那些生活在世俗中 的人們，並能使他們達於至 善。
因此，我們不論身在何處，都 能夠也應該企望度完善的生 活。
--聖師方濟各沙雷氏主教著熱心生活入門
Error proínde est, quin et hæresis, devotiónis exercítium a cohórtibus militáribus, ab officína opíficum, ab aulis príncipum, a família coniugatórum velle exclúdere; fáteor quidem, caríssima Philóthea, devotiónem, quæ pure contemplatíva, monástica et religiósa est, hisce in offíciis et státibus mínime exercéri posse; at præter triplex hoc devotiónis genus, sunt et ália multa ad eos qui in státibus sæculáribus vivunt perficiéndos peraccommodáta.
Ubicúmque locórum ergo sumus, ad vitam perféctam aspiráre et debémus et póssumus.
--Ex Introductióne ad vitam devótam sancti Francísci de Sales epíscopi
God's call
Elegit nos ante mundi constitutionem
He chose us before the foundation of the world
ut essemus sancti, in conspectu ejus!
that we might be holy in his presence.
New saints needed, not new managers
What we can do is infinitely inferior to Him who does.
True 'reform' does not mean to take great pains to erect new facades…Real 'reform' is to strive to let what is ours disappear as much as possible so what belongs to Christ may become more visible.
Saints, in fact, reformed the Church in depth, not by working up plans for new structures, but by reforming themselves. What the Church needs in order to respond to the needs of man in every age is holiness, not management.
--Card Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI), Ratzinger Report
AN EXHORTATION TO GREATER VIRTUE
From Simeon Peter, servant and apostle of Jesus Christ; to all who treasure the same faith as ourselves, given through the righteousness of our God and saviour Jesus Christ. May you have more and more grace and peace as you come to know our Lord more and more.
By his divine power, he has given us all the things that we need for life and for true devotion, bringing us to know God himself, who has called us by his own glory and goodness. In making these gifts, he has given us the guarantee of something very great and wonderful to come: through them you will be able to share the divine nature and to escape corruption in a world that is sunk in vice. But to attain this, you will have to do your utmost yourselves, adding goodness to the faith that you have, understanding to your goodness, self-control to your understanding, patience to your self-control, true devotion to your patience, kindness towards your fellow men to your devotion, and, to this kindness, love. If you have a generous supply of these, they will not leave you ineffectual or unproductive: they will bring you to a real knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But without them a man is blind or else short-sighted; he has forgotten how his past sins were washed away. Brothers, you have been called and chosen: work all the harder to justify it. If you do all these things there is no danger that you will ever fall away. In this way you will be granted admittance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
--II Peter 1:1-11
THE PRIEST'S STRUGGLE TO BE HOLY
I admit that we are all weak, but if we want help, the Lord God has given us the means to find it easily. One priest may wish to lead a good, holy life, as he knows he should. He may wish to be chaste and to reflect heavenly virtues in the way he lives. Yet he does not resolve to use suitable means, such as penance, prayer, the avoidance of evil discussions and harmful and dangerous friendships. Another priest complains that as soon as he comes into church to pray the office or to celebrate Mass, a thousand thoughts fill his mind and distract him from God. But what was he doing in the sacristy before he came out for the office or for Mass? How did he prepare? What means did he use to collect his thoughts and to remain recollected?
Would you like me to teach you how to grow from virtue to virtue and how, if you are already recollected at prayer, you can be even more attentive next time, and so give God more pleasing worship? Listen, and I will tell you. If a tiny spark of God’s love already burns within you, do not expose it to the wind, for it may get blown out. Keep the stove tightly shut so that it will not lose its heat and grow cold. In other words, avoid distractions as well as you can. Stay quiet with God. Do not spend your time in useless chatter.
If teaching and preaching is your job, then study diligently and apply yourself to whatever is necessary for doing the job well. Be sure that you first preach by the way you live. If you do not, people will notice that you say one thing, but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head.
Are you in charge of a parish? If so, do not neglect the parish of your own soul, do not give yourself to others so completely that you have nothing left for yourself. You have to be mindful of your people without becoming forgetful of yourself.
My brothers, you must realise that for us churchmen nothing is more necessary than meditation. We must meditate before, during and after everything we do. The prophet says: I will pray, and then I will understand. When you administer the sacraments, meditate on what you are doing. When you celebrate Mass, reflect on the sacrifice you are offering. When you pray the office, think about the words you are saying and the Lord to whom you are speaking. When you take care of your people, meditate on how the Lord’s blood that has washed them clean so that all that you do becomes a work of love.
This is the way we can easily overcome the countless difficulties we have to face day after day, which, after all, are part of our work: in meditation we find the strength to bring Christ to birth in ourselves and in other men.
--St Charles Borromeo
ALL SAINTS' DAY
Let us make haste to our brethren who are awaiting us.
Why should our praise and glorification, or even the celebration of this feast day mean anything to the saints? What do they care about earthly honours when their heavenly Father honours them by fulfilling the faithful promise of the Son? What does our commendation mean to them? The saints have no need of honour from us; neither does our devotion add the slightest thing to what is theirs. Clearly, if we venerate their memory, it serves us, not them. But I tell you, when I think of them, I feel myself inflamed by a tremendous yearning.
Calling the saints to mind inspires, or rather arouses in us, above all else, a longing to enjoy their company, so desirable in itself. We long to share in the citizenship of heaven, to dwell with the spirits of the blessed, to join the assembly of patriarchs, the ranks of the prophets, the council of apostles, the great host of martyrs, the noble company of confessors and the choir of virgins. In short, we long to be united in happiness with all the saints. But our dispositions change. The Church of all the first followers of Christ awaits us, but we do nothing about it. The saints want us to be with them, and we are indifferent. The souls of the just await us, and we ignore them.
Come, brothers, let us at length spur ourselves on. We must rise again with Christ, we must seek the world which is above and set our mind on the things of heaven. Let us long for those who are longing for us, hasten to those who are waiting for us, and ask those who look for our coming to intercede for us. We should not only want to be with the saints, we should also hope to possess their happiness. While we desire to be in their company, we must also earnestly seek to share in their glory. Do not imagine that there is anything harmful in such an ambition as this; there is no danger in setting our hearts on such glory.
When we commemorate the saints we are inflamed with another yearning: that Christ our life may also appear to us as he appeared to them and that we may one day share in his glory. Until then we see him, not as he is, but as he became for our sake. He is our head, crowned, not with glory, but with the thorns of our sins. As members of that head, crowned with thorns, we should be ashamed to live in luxury; his purple robes are a mockery rather than an honour. When Christ comes again, his death shall no longer be proclaimed, and we shall know that we also have died, and that our life is hidden with him. The glorious head of the Church will appear and his glorified members will shine in splendour with him, when he forms this lowly body anew into such glory as belongs to himself, its head.
Therefore, we should aim at attaining this glory with a wholehearted and prudent desire. That we may rightly hope and strive for such blessedness, we must above all seek the prayers of the saints. Thus, what is beyond our own powers to obtain will be granted through their intercession.
--A sermon by Saint Bernard, abbot
(http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_article/277/Importance_of_the_Saints_Bernard_of_Clairvaux.html)
POPE IN PALERMO: HAVE COURAGE, BE HOLY!
No one can take this joy from us! No one can take this strength from us! Courage, dear young people and families of Sicily! Be saints!
Do not be afraid to oppose evil! Together you will be like a forest that grows, perhaps silently, but capable of bearing fruit, of bringing life and of renewing your land in a profound way!
Do not cede to the suggestions of the mafia, which is a road of death, incompatible with the Gospel, as your bishops have said many times!
--Benedict XVI, 4 October 2010
BE HOLY
It is not often that a Pope, or indeed anyone else, has the opportunity to speak to the students of all the Catholic schools of England, Wales and Scotland at the same time. And since I have the chance now, there is something I very much want to say to you. I hope that among those of you listening to me today there are some of the future saints of the twenty-first century. What God wants most of all for each one of you is that you should become holy. He loves you much more than you could ever begin to imagine, and he wants the very best for you. And by far the best thing for you is to grow in holiness.
Perhaps some of you have never thought about this before. Perhaps some of you think being a saint is not for you. Let me explain what I mean. When we are young, we can usually think of people that we look up to, people we admire, people we want to be like. It could be someone we meet in our daily lives that we hold in great esteem. Or it could be someone famous. We live in a celebrity culture, and young people are often encouraged to model themselves on figures from the world of sport or entertainment. My question for you is this: what are the qualities you see in others that you would most like to have yourselves? What kind of person would you really like to be?
When I invite you to become saints, I am asking you not to be content with second best. I am asking you not to pursue one limited goal and ignore all the others. Having money makes it possible to be generous and to do good in the world, but on its own, it is not enough to make us happy. Being highly skilled in some activity or profession is good, but it will not satisfy us unless we aim for something greater still. It might make us famous, but it will not make us happy. Happiness is something we all want, but one of the great tragedies in this world is that so many people never find it, because they look for it in the wrong places. The key to it is very simple – true happiness is to be found in God. We need to have the courage to place our deepest hopes in God alone, not in money, in a career, in worldly success, or in our relationships with others, but in God. Only he can satisfy the deepest needs of our hearts.
Not only does God love us with a depth and an intensity that we can scarcely begin to comprehend, but he invites us to respond to that love. You all know what it is like when you meet someone interesting and attractive, and you want to be that person’s friend. You always hope they will find you interesting and attractive, and want to be your friend. God wants your friendship. And once you enter into friendship with God, everything in your life begins to change. As you come to know him better, you find you want to reflect something of his infinite goodness in your own life. You are attracted to the practice of virtue. You begin to see greed and selfishness and all the other sins for what they really are, destructive and dangerous tendencies that cause deep suffering and do great damage, and you want to avoid falling into that trap yourselves. You begin to feel compassion for people in difficulties and you are eager to do something to help them. You want to come to the aid of the poor and the hungry, you want to comfort the sorrowful, you want to be kind and generous. And once these things begin to matter to you, you are well on the way to becoming saints.
--Pope Benedict XVI to UK students, 17 September 2010
GOD BE IN MY WORK
In the 1300s, a merchant guild built a magnificent cathedral in Coventry, England. Its chapels honored different vocations.
Coventry Cathedral was bombed in World War II. When a new church was built alongside the ruins, engraved panels replaced the chapels.
One reads:
Hallowed be Thy Name in Industry:
God be in my hands and in my making.
Another reads:
Hallowed be Thy Name in Commerce:
God be at my desk and in my trading.
And another:
Hallowed be Thy Name in Government:
God be in my plans and in my deciding.
This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. Always remember that you can declare God’s name holy by whatever you do well. It’s the high calling of our daily work.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done . . . (Matt. 6:9-10)
--Howard Butt, http://www.thehighcalling.org/Library/ViewMessage.asp?MessageID=425&WID=411&T=H&SID=12675
Final blessing from JP2
"None of us can ever forget how in that last Easter Sunday of his life, the Holy Father, marked by suffering, came once more to the window of the Apostolic Palace and one last time gave his blessing urbi et orbi. We can be sure that our beloved Pope is standing today at the window of the Father’s house, that he sees us and blesses us. Yes, bless us, Holy Father. We entrust your dear soul to the Mother of God, your Mother, who guided you each day and who will guide you now to the eternal glory of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."
(Card. Joseph Ratzinger, Homily, Funeral for Pope John Paul II)
The example of Jesus from the Cross
Why did the Son of God have to suffer for us? There was a great need, and it can be considered in a twofold way: in the first place, as a remedy for sin, and secondly, as an example of how to act.
It is a remedy, for, in the face of all the evils which we incur on account of our sins, we have found relief through the passion of Christ. Yet, it is no less an example, for the passion of Christ completely suffices to fashion our lives. Whoever wishes to live perfectly should do nothing but disdain what Christ disdained on the cross and desire what he desired, for the cross exemplifies every virtue.
If you seek the example of love: Greater love than this no man has, than to lay down his life for his friends. Such a man was Christ on the cross. And if he gave his life for us, then it should not be difficult to bear whatever hardships arise for his sake.
If you seek patience, you will find no better example than the cross. Great patience occurs in two ways: either when one patiently suffers much, or when one suffers things which one is able to avoid and yet does not avoid. Christ endured much on the cross, and did so patiently, because when he suffered he did not threaten; he was led like a sheep to the slaughter and he did not open his mouth. Therefore Christ’s patience on the cross was great. In patience let us run for the prize set before us, looking upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who, for the joy set before him, bore his cross and despised the shame.
If you seek an example of humility, look upon the crucified one, for God wished to be judged by Pontius Pilate and to die.
If you seek an example of obedience, follow him who became obedient to the Father even unto death. For just as by the disobedience of one man, namely, Adam, many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one man, many were made righteous.
If you seek an example of despising earthly things, follow him who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Upon the cross he was stripped, mocked, spat upon, struck, crowned with thorns, and given only vinegar and gall to drink.
Do not be attached, therefore, to clothing and riches, because they divided my garments among themselves. Nor to honours, for he experienced harsh words and scourgings. Nor to greatness of rank, for weaving a crown of thorns they placed it on my head. Nor to anything delightful, for in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
(St Thomas Aquinas)
Perfection lies not in the multiplicity of the things you do but in doing them well in the spirit in which our Lord did all his works. This is what goes to make genuine and solid holiness: to do what one does well, in conformity with one's vocation. [p. 57]
(St Vincent de Paul. From Jacques Delarue, The Holiness of Vincent de Paul, Geoffrey Chapman Ltd, London 1960, 132 pp)