Are You Holy?

If someone asked me that question, I’d roll my eyes and say “Not really”.

Recently Pope Francis released an Apostolic Exhortation on Holiness.  It is a 34 page letter which is both readable and down-to-earth.  Check it out.  A basic message is that holiness does not imply perfection.

Two weekends ago I started the homily by asking people to raise their hands if they think they are holy. At the 1st mass 1 person raised a hand.  At the 2^nd mass no one raised a hand. But at the 3^rd mass, 14 people raised their hands. I was delighted.

Two families raised their hands.  Both families have 3 children…some younger ones and some teenagers. And every member of each family ‘tentatively’ raised their hands. (Their hands were up but not real high.) I liked that. They see that they’re on the way.

Pope Francis says: “Holiness is present in parents who raise their children with love; in men and women who work hard to support their families; in the sick and elderly who never lose their smiles; and in next-door neighbors and those living in our midst.”

Two concrete actions: 1. Answer the question for yourself: Are you holy?  2. Name a holy person you know. Talk to him/her about that.