# Called to be saints
*2016-02-23*

> Bill Young reflects on a reading from Pope Francis's 'Renew Our Hearts,' exploring the universal call to holiness in everyday life.

## The Universal Call to Holiness

Today is Tuesday of the second week of Lent. We are reading from a book called 'Renew Our Hearts,' which is a personal invitation to Lenten conversion from Pope Francis. Today's reflection is titled 'Call to be Saints,' drawing from 1 Corinthians 1:2-3: 'To those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, grace to you and peace.'

## Dispelling Myths About Sanctity

In order to be saints, there is no need to be a bishop, a priest, or a religious. We are all called to be saints. So many times, we have been tempted to think that sainthood is reserved only for those who have an opportunity to break away from daily affairs in order to dedicate themselves exclusively to prayer. But it is not so. Some think of sanctity as meaning you close your eyes and look like a holy icon, but this is not sanctity. Sanctity is something greater and deeper which God gives us.

## Holiness in the Everyday

It is precisely in living with love and offering one's own Christian witness in everyday affairs that we are called to become saints. This happens for each person in the conditions and the state of life in which he or she finds himself or herself. Every state of life leads to holiness: in your home, on your street, at work, and at church. In your specific state of life, the path to sainthood has been opened.

*Jesus, help me to open myself to your transforming grace and live in a more holy way.*