Jesus was not satisfied with destroying sin and meriting only a sufficient amount of grace for our salvation. He did much more and he himself declared it, I have come that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly (Jn 10:10). This plenitude of life is the plenitude of grace, the supernatural life which causes sanctity to blossom. Sanctity is not reserved for a few; Jesus, by his Incarnation and by his death on the cross, merited the means of salvation and sanctification for all who believe in him. He, the All-holy, came to sanctify us, and has taught us, Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect (Mt 5:48).
Jesus did not give this precept to a chosen group of persons, nor did he reserve it for his Apostles and close friends; he proclaimed it to the multitude who were following him. Saint Paul received his message and announced it to the Gentiles, this is the will of God, your sanctification (1 Thes 4:3). And in our times the Church…has repeated it strongly and on many occasions to the modern world: “Christ has called the whole human race to the lofty heights of sanctity…. There are some who say that sanctity is not everyone’s vocation; on the contrary, it is everyone’s vocation, and all are called to it…. Jesus Christ has given himself as an example for all to imitate.” And elsewhere: “Let no one believe that sanctity belongs to a few chosen people, while the rest of humanity can limit itself to a lesser degree of virtue….” Jesus comes not only to save me, but to sanctify me. He is calling me to sanctity and has merited for me all the graces I need to attain it.
Father Gabriel of Saint Mary Magdalen, o.c.d.
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