Growing in Holiness

The Most Reverend George J. Lucas, Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, reminded the faithful that in baptism, "We are called to be holy and mediate the saving plan of God in the time and place in which we live."

He went on to reflect that the primary way in which we attain holiness and mediate the plan of God is by faithful attendance and participation at Sunday Mass. "The greatest privilege and the most important responsibility given to God's priestly people is the full participation in the church's liturgy, especially the Mass," he said. "Of course the ordained priest plays a central and unique role, as he stands in the place of Christ at the head of the church. But the Lord desires that all the members of his Body be there, too."

It is "At the eucharistic sacrifice, the baptized bring their lives and offer them to God, in union with the perfect offering of the Lord, for their salvation, and also for the salvation of the world," the Bishop reflected.

At the same time, there are additional means to growth in holiness. "In good works, too, the baptized exercise their priestly function."

Indeed, "The baptized, made holy by sanctifying grace, participate in the priestly work of Jesus by living as holy spouses, holy parents, holy children. They are not shy about being holy in public. They are reminders of God's plan for the sanctification of all the world in businesses and on the farm, in classrooms, in hospitals, in labor unions and in government."

Bishop Lucas concluded his remarks on the universal call to holiness with a call to the basics: "The essentials remain: the Eucharistic liturgy and the privilege, at work or at leisure, of sanctifying the world in union with our Lord Jesus Christ."