…be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, "Be holy because I (am) holy.
The Church has always been concerned with holiness. At times in the past people have equated holiness with becoming a saint, living inside a monastery, chanting prayers 24/7 and dying a martyr death. But true holiness is not just a Jesus-and-me attitude. It's not enough to go to Church on Sunday and leave the rest of your life unchanged. True holiness requires a conversion of the whole person, a transformation of the total personality, a concern for bodily as well as spiritual health, and a balance between prayer and action. This may require a conversion of our lifestyle, no matter where we live or what we do for a living.
Francis de Sales took seriously the words of Christ, “Learn of me for I am meek and humble of heart.” He tried to convey to people that there should be no difference between "the devout life" of a priest and the way a lay person lives his everyday life in the world. He explicitly mentioned to “let us try to love and serve God well, to be good men and women, devout men and women, pious men and pious women”. He says that Our Lord would prefer that we cultivate the practice of such “little virtues” as “patience, meekness, self-mortification, humility, obedience, poverty, chastity, tenderness toward our neighbors, bearing with their imperfections, diligence, and holy fervor”.
With this explanation St. Francis de Sales goes right to the heart of what the Christian life is all about, for what he is describing is love of God and love of neighbor. Nothing could be more basic. Not only should a person practice the virtues suitable to his vocation, but he should also love his vocation in itself, precisely because that vocation comes to him from God.
And he beautifully expressed this holiness of serving God and others – “you must bring yourself to a tender affection for your state in life and for everything about it, out of love for Him who wills it so”.
Almighty Father, lead us safely through all things; and at times when we cannot stand it, carry us in Your loving arms. May we be forever at peace with You, as we put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.
“True holiness consists in doing God's will with a smile” – Mother Teresa
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