A calling to Holiness

The word ‘vocation’ has many meanings and, in the broadest sense, refers to God’s call:

“The word “vocation” can be understood in a broad sense as a calling from God, including the call to life, the call to friendship with him, the call to holiness, and so forth. This is helpful, since it situates our whole life in relation to the God who loves us. It makes us realize that nothing is the result of pure chance but that everything in our lives can become a way of responding to the Lord, who has a wonderful plan for us.”
– Pope Francis, Christus vivit

The vocation to holiness is both universal – for everyone is called to it – and absolutely unique:

“There are some testimonies that may prove helpful and inspiring, but that we are not meant to copy, for that could even lead us astray from the one specific path that the Lord has in mind for us. The important thing is that each believer discern his or her own path, that they bring out the very best of themselves, the most personal gifts that God has placed in their hearts (cf. 1 Cor 12:7), rather than hopelessly trying to imitate something not meant for them.”
– Pope Francis, Gaudete et exsultate

The call to holiness therefore applies to all the baptised, each within their own state of life or particular circumstances. The essential thing is to live each day with love, bearing witness to the values of the Gospel:

“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.”
– Pope Francis, Gaudete et exsultate

On this path to holiness, everyone has a mission and is, in fact, a mission:

“Each saint is a mission, planned by the Father to reflect and embody, at a specific moment in history, a certain aspect of the Gospel. (…) That mission has its fullest meaning in Christ, and can only be understood through him. At its core, holiness is experiencing, in union with Christ, the mysteries of his life. It consists in uniting ourselves to the Lord’s death and resurrection in a unique and personal way, constantly dying and rising anew with him.”

It is therefore a matter of allowing Christ to live within us through the power of the Holy Spirit in the Church, day by day, by living out ordinary things with the extraordinary nature of unconditional love and self-giving.