Thursday 12^th June – Thursday of week 10 of the year

Reflection: Matthew 5:20-26

THE CALL TO HOLINESS

The way of perfection passes by the way of the Cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle. Spiritual progress entails ascesis and mortification that gradually lead to living in the peace and joy of the Beatitudes. This is a call to Blessedness. To understand this call we can consider three things; the Cause, the Working Out, and the End of that Blessedness (Psalm 83:6).

The Cause – Holiness is a divine trait and can only be found in the divine. God who is naturally blessed is the cause of blessedness in humans. “Blessed is the man whose aid is from thee”. Thus, no one can come to blessedness but by the divine aid. The divine aid to ascend to holiness lies ready to everyone who desires it. Our part is to respond to the call of the divine in us.

The Working Out – The working out of blessedness is in the progress from virtue to virtue. The journey to holiness is like climbing a staircase, overcoming the challenges of a step gives the crown of a virtue but ahead lies another step with its own challenges and virtue, and the journey continues till perfection in heaven. Thus, he who climbs never stops going from “beginning to beginning”, Christ calls us today from the step of “do not kill” to ascend far up to “do not get angry”. He calls us from the lower steps of “fighting our enemies” to ascend to “doing good and praying for our enemies”. This is a “hard call” for our flesh but by the divine aid it is possible. To ascend these steps we have to let go of our own heavy cloak of pride, ego, self-centeredness, and put on the cloak of humility, gentleness, love and patience in bearing with others.

The End – The end of that blessedness is the gaining of eternal bliss. The end of man is to reign with his Creator in Heaven.

Dear young friend, the ways of holiness are varied according to the vocation of each individual and many lay people have attained holiness in the most ordinary circumstances of life. Therefore, we too can attain holiness by pleasing God in our daily activities and living as true Christians.

Prayer: Lord help me by your grace to daily mortify myself that I may daily grow in holiness. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 2013

All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” Matthew 5:48 CCB

Today’s Readings: 1 Kings 18: 41-46; Psalm 65:10-13, Matthew 5:20-26