Be Holy 

   “He who called you is holy.  Therefore, be holy yourselves in all your conduct.  For Scripture says, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1: 15 – 16) 

   We are called to be holy, but how are we to become holy?  No matter how we try, no matter how often we go to Mass, we can never make ourselves holy.  There is only one way to obtain holiness, and that is by the grace of God.

   If our desire is to be holy we must, like our Blessed Mother, say to God, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord.  Let it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1: 38).  There is no other path to holiness.

   God wants us to be holy and He will make us holy if we agree to let Him.  But even then free will remains.  We must make a conscious decision to treasure the holiness, to live always seeking to find increase, trusting in God in all we do.  Otherwise we can thwart the holiness God has blessed us with.

   In the world today submission is often considered a weakness, but submission to God’s will is a blessing and the path to eternal happiness.  We must approach holiness as Christ prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “….your will, not mine be done.” (Matt 26: 39).  Even when we don’t understand, even when what He asks is difficult, we must always accept that His will is best, no matter the consequences.

   Whenever we submit our will to His, the rewards will be great.  Seeking holiness through His grace is no different.  Our desire to be holy as He is holy pleases God and His graces will be abundant.