Rachel Evans
Holiness in Catholicism is associated with the idea of heaven and marriage with God. To be holy, one must be filled with the Holy Spirit and love God with His power. This involves making time for prayer, performing simple loving gestures, and defending the innocent and vulnerable. Saints, according to Pope Francis, refrain from complaining about others' shortcomings and avoid demeaning or mistreating others. St. Pope John XXIII emphasized the importance of obedience, trusting in God's guidance, and humility in one's pursuit of holiness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Keep the crucifix before you at all times | It reminds us that Christ died for all |
| Be willing to be opposed and even humiliated | Respond to the needs of the Church and put yourself at the service of others |
| Be aware that you are only an earthen vessel | Let the Lord shine through you |
| Live in obedience to God and the Church | Trust where God is leading you |
| Make time for prayer | Show loving care in the simplest gestures |
| Defend the innocent | Protect the dignity of human life |
| Avoid the verbal violence that demeans and mistreats others | Hold your tongue before the faults of your brothers and sisters |
| Keep the thought of heaven in your mind constantly | Contemplate the joyful reality of heaven |
| Be energized or super-charged to love God | Be filled with the Holy Spirit |
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What You'll Learn
Keep the crucifix before you at all times
Holiness in the Catholic Church is associated with being loving and thoughtful in one's actions and gestures. It is about being aware of one's purpose on Earth and striving to live a life that aligns with the teachings of the Church and the gospel.
One key aspect of this is keeping the crucifix before you at all times, as St. Pope John XXIII advised. This means more than simply wearing a crucifix necklace or displaying a crucifix in your home or workplace. It is about truly embodying the spirit of Christ's sacrifice and embracing the values it represents.
The crucifix is a powerful symbol of Christ's open and inclusive love for all humanity. When we keep the crucifix before us, we are reminded of Christ's self-sacrificing love and our own call to love and forgive others. We are called to emulate Christ's example of openness and welcome, just as His arms were outstretched on the cross.
By keeping the crucifix before us, we are also reminded of our own mortality and the fleeting nature of life on Earth. This can help us to stay focused on our spiritual goals and prioritize our relationship with God. It can also serve as a powerful motivator to live a life that aligns with our values and the teachings of the Church, striving to be more like Christ in our daily actions and interactions.
Additionally, the crucifix can be a source of strength and comfort during difficult times. It can remind us that we are not alone in our struggles and that Christ has endured suffering and pain. This can provide a sense of resilience and perseverance, knowing that we can draw on Christ's strength to navigate life's challenges.
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Be loving and avoid demeaning others
Holiness in Catholicism involves being loving and charitable, and avoiding demeaning others. This involves showing loving care in simple gestures and making time for prayer. It is important to avoid verbal violence and mistreatment of others, and to hold one's tongue before the faults of others.
In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus instructs his followers to "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us". This is not just a warning that God will treat us as we treat others, but an appeal to act like God in how we treat others. We should be careful to interpret our neighbour's thoughts, words, and deeds in a favourable way, and correct them with love if necessary. We should also be mindful of our own faults before judging others.
It is important to be careful with our words and to avoid sarcasm, bullying, and shaming. We should use our words to affirm and lift others up, and to lovingly guide them to the truth. We should also be mindful of our tone and the effect of our words on others.
We should also be mindful of the dignity of all human life, especially the poor, the destitute, the abandoned, and the vulnerable. We should defend the lives of the innocent and speak out against issues such as covert euthanasia.
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Pray and show care for others
Prayer is an essential component of Catholic life, and it is through prayer that Catholics can develop a closer relationship with God. Prayer is described as "the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God". It is a way to communicate with God and ask for forgiveness, help, or guidance. Catholics are encouraged to pray daily, and there are fixed prayer times for the Liturgy of the Hours, which the laity can join. Common Catholic devotions include the Rosary, the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the veneration of saints. The Rosary, for instance, is a powerful devotion for the meditation of the mysteries of joy, sorrow, and the glory of Jesus and Mary. Lucia dos Santos, a devotee, claimed that "there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is...that cannot be solved by the Rosary".
Prayer is also an opportunity to show devotion and praise to God and to express thankfulness for His gifts. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches his followers to address God as "Our Father", indicating a close and loving relationship. God is a merciful father who cares for his children and wants them to bring their needs to Him. This is reflected in the Bible, where Jesus says, "Your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (Matt. 6:8), and "Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith" (Matt. 21:22).
Caring for others is a fundamental aspect of Catholic teaching and an essential part of living a holy life. Catholics believe that every person is sacred and has inherent dignity and worth. This belief forms the foundation of Catholic social teaching, which emphasizes protecting human rights and building a just society. Catholics are called to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first and to work towards avoiding war and resolving conflicts peacefully.
Catholics are also called to serve their neighbors and show love and compassion to others. This service is an expression of their love for God and is an integral part of their faith. By helping others and performing works of charity, Catholics reflect God's selfless and sacrificial love. Through the mediation of the Church and its sacraments, Catholics can grow in their love for God and their service to others.
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Be aware of divine judgement
Holiness in Catholicism involves striving to be more like God and living a life that reflects this. It is important to remember that, as a Catholic, one will face divine judgement and that this life is not infinite. Keeping this in mind can help to motivate oneself to live a life that follows the gospel.
Being aware of divine judgement involves understanding that one day you will meet the Lord and be subject to their judgement. This can be a powerful motivator to live a life that follows Catholic teachings. It is a reminder that Catholics should not become complacent or lulled to sleep, but rather be dedicated to preparing for this moment.
The idea of divine judgement is also tied to the concept of purgatory, a place or state where the damage caused by sins is repaired. Purgatory is mentioned in the Bible, such as in the passage from St. Paul: "Each one's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done." This passage suggests that the work done by an individual will be judged and, if it is found to be lacking, they will suffer loss, even if they themselves are saved.
To be holy, Catholics are called to be loving and to show care for others through simple gestures. This involves avoiding verbal violence and refraining from demeaning or mistreating others. Instead, Catholics should focus on defending the innocent and the vulnerable, such as the poor, the destitute, and the abandoned. This defence should be clear, firm, and passionate, reflecting the belief that human life is sacred.
Overall, being aware of divine judgement involves recognising the finite nature of life on Earth and striving to live in a way that reflects Catholic values and teachings. It is a reminder to be loving, humble, and obedient, and to put oneself at the service of others.
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Believe in heaven and hell
To be a holy Catholic, one must believe in heaven and hell. This belief is a cornerstone of Catholic doctrine and plays a significant role in shaping one's purpose on Earth and their eventual eternal destiny.
Heaven, in Catholic belief, is a joyful reality, a Kingdom of love, where one is united in an eternal marriage with God. To be worthy of this heavenly union, Catholics are called to strive for holiness in their daily lives, emulating the love and forgiveness of Christ. This involves making time for prayer, showing care and compassion to others, and defending the sacredness of all human life, especially the most vulnerable.
The thought of heaven should be a constant reminder of our earthly purpose and the need to live a virtuous life. This includes acknowledging our sins and seeking forgiveness, as well as being mindful of divine judgement and the reality of hell.
Hell, as described by St. Josemaria Escrivá, is a place of punishment that exists in contrast to the love and joy of heaven. While some may consider the concept of hell too harsh or outdated, it is referenced in Scripture, Church teachings, and the writings of the saints. Catholics should not shy away from acknowledging hell, just as their Lord does not shy away from referring to it in the Gospels.
Belief in heaven and hell provides powerful motivations for Catholics to live a holy life and follow the gospel. It is a reminder of the consequences of our actions and the importance of repairing the damage caused by our sins. Purgatory, as defined by the Church, is a state of final purification before entering heaven, further emphasizing the importance of living a virtuous life on Earth.
In summary, believing in heaven and hell is a critical aspect of being a holy Catholic. It shapes one's purpose, guides their actions, and provides motivation to strive for holiness, love, and virtue in preparation for divine judgement and their eternal destiny.
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Frequently asked questions
According to Pope Francis, holiness means being loving. God calls people who make time for prayer and show love through simple gestures to be saints.
St. Pope John XXIII believed that holiness comes from living in obedience to God and the Church. He also believed that meekness and humility are important qualities for holiness.
Heaven should be on the minds of Catholics constantly as it reminds them of their purpose on Earth: to become worthy of living in the Kingdom of God forever.
The more the Holy Spirit dwells within us, the more we are ready for our eternal marriage with God. We must be filled with the Holy Spirit to love God at a quasi-divine level.
Saints can hold their tongue before the faults of their brothers and sisters, and they avoid the verbal violence that demeans and mistreats others. They also do not waste energy complaining about the failings of others.
