Holiness; Earned or Given?

Holiness;  Earned or Given?

Ok, let’s find the deeper meaning of a person considered to be holy and extract what it is that made this person so special.  First, look at the word holy as recounted in the CCC.  “Spiritual progress tends toward ever more intimate union with Christ.  This union is called mystical because it participates in the mystery of Christ through the sacraments, the holy mysteries, and in him, the mystery of the Holy Trinity.  God calls us to this intimate union with him, even if the special graces or extraordinary signs of this mystical life are granted only to some for the manifesting the gratuitous gift given to all.”  (CCC 2014).

“The way to perfection passes by the way of the Cross.  There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle.  Spiritual progress entails the ascesis (self-discipline) and mortification that gradually lead to living in the peace and joy of the Beatitudes.”  (CCC 2015).

“We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, for those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren.  And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.”  (CCC 2012).  CF with Rom 8: 28 - 30).

By the articles from the CCC it is more than obvious we cannot earn the grace of holiness, and grace itself is also a gift .  However, don't think that works of the flesh aren’t important as we journey through evangelizing the world, or even our small portion of it.  There may be some who untiringly seek connection to Christ by the many outward expressions of performing good deeds, which in themselves are meritorious, but alone do not make one holy.  It goes much deeper as noted above.  

A person who has reached the aurora of holiness will in fact use that grace to diligently seek out the spiritual and physical needs of the poorest among us.  Mother Teresa is one who no doubt carried the sign of extreme holiness caring for the least of humanity in Calcutta.  That is what holiness entails and what manner we must also use that grace to give praise to God.  

Counting how many expressive works we perform or attend in piety is not enough to attain holiness.  As good as they are, we must use the grace God gives us and not how much we earned.  

Another important element towards holiness is not what we do, it is who we are through the grace of God.  Compare that requirement with CCC 2012.

Ralph B. Hathaway