Holiness: The Fruit of Grace
Fr. Brian Christensen
From Carpe Gratiam , Vol. 2, Is. 9, July 2002

“To imitate and live out the love of Christ is not possible for man by his own strength alone. He becomes capable of this love only by virtue of a gift received. As the Lord Jesus receives the love of his Father, so he in turn freely communicates that love to his disciples: ‘As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Live on in my love' (John 15:9).” — Pope John Paul II.

Each one of us is called to live out this love of God in our daily lives. We are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity. We are called to be saints. This is our call to holiness. However, while we often view this call as a command or demand from the Lord, it would be better understood as a gift from God. Since perfect charity is beyond our limited human abilities, we have no choice but to rely upon the power of God.

The power of God is freely given to us as a gift through His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit who is at work in the Church and through Her sacraments. To be perfected in charity and to live a life of holiness are the fruits of a gift from God who heals, restores, and transforms our hearts by His grace. Holiness is the lived life of grace which comes to us as a gift through Jesus Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit. We are perfected — made holy — by the work of God Himself!

Holiness — union with God lived out in perfect charity — remains our call and pathway to eternal life. The promise of eternal life is therefore linked to our life of grace which comes to us as gift from God. So many men and women throughout the history of the Church have been shining examples of holiness. Just recently the Church has recognized the perfection of charity in St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio ), Blessed Pedro de San Jos é de Betancurt , and Blessed Juan Diego. They received the divine gift of grace which is offered to all, and they used it generously for the glory of God.

Holiness, while it remains first and foremost a fruit of grace, needs our active assent and cooperation. Holiness includes being set apart for the exclusive use of God rather than conforming to the ways of the world. We renounce the passing things of this world to set our hearts on the things of heaven. The way of holiness passes by the way of the Cross: to follow the will of God completely and without reserve. As the Catechism so plainly states: “There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle” (CCC 2015).

As we reflect upon our call to be holy through the perfection of charity — love of God and love of neighbor — we often seem to face a daunting task. However, we ought to remember that we are capable of love and union with God because He has first loved us. We can love God and others because He loves us. We can have union with God — holiness — because He first comes to us. We are holy thanks to the abundant gift of God's grace at work in us! To be His saints, let us abide in His grace. Let us live on in His love