Holiness: An Outcome of a Lived Trust in God

If we eat good food, enjoying at-homeness, there is a special taste, and we grow healthy. Holiness is something like that. It is the wellbeing, the shining sign that testifies the life quality. Holiness is not a ‘condition’ in order to receive graces from God. It is an outcome of a lived trust in God. 

Parents feed their children, and children happily eat what is given. ‘What is given’ is not doubted on, there is freedom because there is a sense of belonging. There is a calmness if we can feel at home, until then we are restless. Peace is the seed ground for holiness. Peace itself is an outcome of an attitude of trust and gratitude. Striving for holiness necessitates our ability to trust.

Developing trust needs an effort because it is not easy to trust. Many ways this trust deficit is present in us, and so we often miss the experience of at-homeness with ourselves, and God. Signs of our lack of at-homeness may be the unresolved feelings of hurt, sorrow, insecurity, lack of affirmation etc. They remain as obstacles to the development of trust, and so also to the growth in holiness. To mention them as ‘unresolved’ is important when we find them really obstacles. If we have grown in confidence and trust, that itself is a reason that we open our ways to resolve the injuries, fears, sorrows, loneliness etc. We need to meet them and communicate to them gracefully.

Being able to trust is what we are reflecting on, even without knowing in whom or what to trust. We might need a genuine introspection. Without this learning, the taste of trust, we cannot trust God too. Our believing, ‘trusting’ in God and so on could be at times merely an emotional dependency because of which our praying and doing good remain only ‘doings’. A religious person who prays a lot or a dynamic person who does a lot does not necessarily experience holiness. 

How much have we entered peacefulness in our prayers and actions beyond of a satisfaction of being quiet for sometime or of having done a duty? Beyond morals and devotional practices we need a deeper emphasis on a learning to trust, and to develop responsible relationship. Primarily it involves our very person not a spirituality. Fascinating illusory presentations of spirituality has rather damaged our paths to holiness. They may have offered a festal celebration, mesmerising dramatic skills, but have rarely given any formative guidance to live a human life after the example of Christ. 

Instead, trust affirms a presence, a presence consoling, healing and strengthening. Then it gradually grows. As the roots go deeper, our sense of belonging also get deeper and find worth of our life, faith and of being with God. It is healthy and fruitful, and the joy shines out. Holiness is that life quality, not a condition.