Being who we claim to be

Here’s an excerpt from my meditation passage this morning. 

“Hypocrisy is easier to fall into than we may think. We all are naturally concerned about appearances. We fear others’ disdain–maybe not everyone’s, but there are some people who praise and approval it appears we can barely live without. This can lead us to give lip service to what’s most important–fidelity to Christ and his friendship, efforts to build up his Kingdom in ourselves and in those around us–while in our behavior we scramble, like the scribes and chief priests, to hang onto our overly-prized reputation. We rush through our personal prayer commitments, but we take plenty of time conversing with our boss at work or the popular neighbor down the road, and we easily laugh at their crude jokes and join in on a bit of gossip. We throw on whatever clothes are nearby for Mass, but we check ourselves in the mirror five or six times before that important meeting at work or lunch at the club, and we tuck our crucifix under our collar too, just in case. Jesus warns against playing that dangerous game; it’s much better simply to be who we claim to be.”

So many of saints tell us in their writings that it’s the little situations and moments of our day that are so important as “baby steps” in our growth in holiness. And we’re all called to be not just “good” people, but holy people. We’re all called to be saints.

A daunting thought perhaps. But also inspiring.

I’m on the LifeTeen Core Team this year, and our first LifeNight of the semester is on our “universal call to holiness.” As we’ve dived into the topic to plan the night, I’ve been refreshed and inspired by the reminder of my own call to sainthood. The Catholic Church teaches that growing in holiness is our primary vocation. We are all called to love and serve God and to grow in holiness as our primary vocation. We live that out in different secondary vocations, whether married, single or in religious life.

I think that what I love most about this teaching is the sense of purpose that it gives us. Every humble situation of the day is a  little chance to make the world a better place–starting with my family (which we all forget too often, if we’re being honest).

Speaking of starting with my family, I want so much to raise Gabriel to be a wonderful man of God! The way Michael and I act at home in all of our daily moments is the most powerful education this little boy will ever receive. Being who we claim to be, especially when we’re interacting with each other at home, is so important! And we’re working on it 🙂