Responding to the Call of Holiness

When I think about all of the things God wants for us and from us, one of the first thoughts that pops into my mind is that God calls each one of us to be holy.

Personally, I find this request/expectation to be quite daunting because when I think of holy people, some really important folks top my list – Mother Theresa, Pope John Paul II, and Blessed Solanus Casey, to name just a few. I certainly don’t belong anywhere in the same area code as these Saints.

However, I have to keep reminding myself that despite my very strong feelings of inadequacy, God has high hopes for me. (He does!)

With the right attitude, devotion, prayer, and support from our brothers and sisters in Christ, each one of us can please our Heavenly Father in the way that He desires.

Therefore, I did a little digging online and found some ideas that might be able to help us on this path to holiness. I’ve listed them below. I pray that some of these bullet points speak to you.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHES US THAT:

• All believers are called to holiness (1 Peter 1:15).

• This invitation extends to every baptized person to live a life of deep faith, virtue, and union with God.

• All Christians are called to be saints, not just a select few.

YES, BUT HOW DO I KNOW WHAT HOLINESS IS?

• Holiness is about becoming more like Jesus Christ, which means growing in love, compassion, and humility.

• Christ is the model of holiness, and each person is called to reflect His life and teachings.

SO, HOW CAN I BECOME HOLY?

• The act of pursuing holiness involves a personal transformation of a person’s heart and mind, through the grace of God.

• This is achieved through prayer, the sacraments, acts of charity, and striving to live according to the Gospel.

• The call to holiness in the Catholic Church isn’t a call to perfection, but rather a call to continual transformation through God’s grace.

• This leads us to renew our faith as we grow in awareness of personal shortcomings, the power of God's love, and the ongoing need for spiritual growth. It is a dynamic and ongoing process of becoming more like Christ, which requires frequent renewal of heart and mind.

The Power of Renewal

OK, WHAT EXACTLY DOES RENEWAL MEAN?

• At its core, Catholic renewal seeks to encourage a return to the heart of the Gospel message: love, justice, and mercy. This often involves a renewed focus on prayer, sacraments, and a commitment to social justice.

• Catholic renewal emphasizes the importance of seeking out genuine spiritual experiences, such as Communion, Confession, and Adoration, as well as demonstrating a fresh and lively enthusiasm for the faith.

• Catholic renewal is a dynamic and multifaceted movement aimed at fostering a deeper, more authentic Christian life within the Church, while simultaneously responding to the evolving needs of the world.

SUGGESTED EXERCISES

Renewing your Catholic faith is a deeply personal journey, and there are several spiritual exercises you can engage in to deepen your relationship with God, strengthen your faith, and bring a fresh sense of purpose to your spiritual life.

Here are just a few exercises and practices that can help you renew and strengthen your Catholic faith:

• Participate in the Sacraments

Sacraments are mysteries; they are signs of the sacred presence of God in our midst today. They are more than mere signs, however, for the sacraments impart grace. The sacraments help to make people holy and build-up the body of Christ.

If you truly desire to pursue holiness, there is no other starting place than to become a regular participant in the Eucharist and Reconciliation,

• Engage in Catholic Media:

Catholic Podcasts, YouTube Channels, and Websites: Listening to Catholic talks, homilies, or programs can help deepen your understanding of the faith and keep you engaged spiritually, especially during difficult times.

• Listen to Catholic Music:

Listening to hymns, contemporary Christian music, or Gregorian chant can help lift your heart to God and set the tone for prayer.

• Join a Catholic Community or Group

Small Faith Groups: Being part of a Bible study group or a faith-sharing group can help you grow in your understanding of the faith, receive support from others, and find accountability.

• Volunteer for Catholic Charitable Organizations:

Volunteering or joining the Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul Society, or other parish-based outreach programs can help you experience God’s love in action.

• Attend a Catholic Retreat:

Spiritual Retreats: Attending a retreat is an excellent way to step away from daily life and renew your focus on God. Whether a weekend retreat, a silent retreat, or a directed retreat, retreats offer a focused time for prayer, reflection, and spiritual growth.

Silent Retreats: If you are looking to deepen your prayer life and hear God's voice more clearly, a silent retreat, such as one based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, can be incredibly powerful.

Conclusion

The process of renewing your Catholic faith is ongoing, and it often involves a combination of personal prayer, spiritual reading, participation in the sacraments, and acts of service. Each of these practices can help you grow closer to God, strengthen your relationship with Jesus, and renew your commitment to living out the Gospel in your daily life. The key is to start small, stay consistent, and trust in God's grace to guide you on your journey.

A great prayer to launch personal renewal, especially from a Catholic perspective, is one that calls for spiritual transformation, openness to God's will, and a deepening of faith. Here’s a prayer you can pray for renewal:

Prayer for Personal Renewal:

Heavenly Father,

I come before You with a humble heart, seeking Your grace and guidance. I acknowledge that I am in need of renewal—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Please pour out Your Holy Spirit upon me and refresh my soul. Help me to release any burdens or wounds that I have been carrying, and grant me the strength to grow in faith, hope, and love.

Lord, I open myself to Your will and ask You to help me become the person You have created me to be. Fill me with Your peace, so that I may be a light to others. Guide my thoughts, words, and actions, and let them reflect Your goodness and mercy.

I surrender my fears, doubts, and distractions to You, trusting that You will renew my mind and heart. Help me to embrace each new day as an opportunity to grow in holiness and love. May Your grace lead me to greater self-awareness, healing, and transformation.

Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and all the saints, I ask for the courage to follow Your path, to live with greater purpose, and to be open to the changes You are calling me to make. May this time of renewal draw me closer to You and help me to live a life of greater service to others.

I pray this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.