How can we counter a culture imbued with the celebration of shame, sin and mocking mean-spiritedness? A culture which lowers the bar on models of human behavior? By aspiring to excellence – to the excellence and greatness of holiness through the gift of life God offers us in Grace.
When St. Paul writes, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22), who can deny these are characteristics we should all desire and aspire to? Every Christian is called to be a saint, to be holy. And we see that the saints rose to the heights of what it is to be fully human – great-souled and great-hearted persons who reflected the grandeur and beauty of God.