RMG – Turning our gaze to Heaven, to live the Earth in a holy way
Featured

31 October 2019

(ANS - Rome) - At the end of yesterday's general audience, October 30, Pope Francis turned his gaze to the coming days when the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints and commemorates all the faithful departed. For this reason, quoting Saint John Paul II, he said that these two days "invite us to look to Heaven, the goal of our earthly pilgrimage. There the festive community of saints awaits us. There we will meet with our dearly departed." In this year marked by the Strenna on the theme "Holiness for you, too", the Pope's exhortation becomes a new invitation to live holiness on a daily basis with one's eyes fixed on Heaven and one's feet firmly rooted to the Earth.

"I imagine that not a few people, perhaps even among us and certainly among the young, would have had the sensation that the word 'holiness' sounded a little foreign to the language of the contemporary world," says the Rector Major in the Strenna for 2019. Yet, he continues, "becoming saints is the first and most urgent task for a Christian."

But what does it mean: "Holiness for you, too"? Pope Francis expresses it in a simple and clear way in his Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate when, after affirming that to be saints it is not necessary to be bishops, priests, religious or religious, he adds:

"We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves. Are you called to the consecrated life? Be holy by living out your commitment with joy. Are you married? Be holy by loving and caring for your husband or wife, as Christ does for the Church. Do you work for a living? Be holy by labouring with integrity and skill in the service of your brothers and sisters. Are you a parent or grandparent? Be holy by patiently teaching the little ones how to follow Jesus. Are you in a position of authority? Be holy by working for the common good and renouncing personal gain." (GE, n° 14).

In this way, holiness is not unattainable, but something truly within everyone's reach: something that leads to becoming the best possible version of what God has imagined for each human being. And, in doing so, holiness means giving one's personal contribution to the construction, already in this earth, of a "civilization of love".

When, in his Letter from Rome of May 10, 1884, Don Bosco wrote to his young people "My only desire is to see you happy in time and in eternity", he underlines the unity between the happiness of a “saintly” life on Earth, with the bliss that can be reached in Heaven.

The days of November 1st, with the celebration of saints, and November 2nd, with the memory of the deceased - among whom surely many who have lived "the sanctity of the (person) next door", as per Pope Francis - become then an opportunity to renew one's commitment to "becoming saints" in this land, on this Earth, to enjoy heavenly bliss, with loved ones, in Heaven.

InfoANS

ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes. By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements, you consent to the use of cookies. To learn more or to opt out, click "Further Information".