NEVER A PERFECT HOLINESS  (Part 1)

The Constitution on the Church of Vatican II reminds us that, as long as we are in this mortal world, we shall never attain pure holiness (C.C. 40).  We derive holiness from Christ, and it is real, substantial, and capable of indefinite growth.  But it is also flawed by our human weakness, imperfection and sinfulness.  We all make many mistakes and stand in perpetual need of the mercy of God.  So we have to pray daily: "forgive us our trespasses."

We have to also remember that our personal holiness is tied to our participating in the holiness of the Church.  And the Church, in this world, is never perfect.  We remember all the times Christ spoke of the good and the bad fish caught in the net, of the goats in with the sheep.  That is the pattern of the Church down through the ages..  It houses the holy and the unholy, the saints and the sinners.

That does not take away from the holiness of the Church in herself and in Christ, but calls for a spirit of sorrow and repentance.  The Constitution on the Church says: "The Church, embracing sinners in her bosom, at the same time holy and always in need of purification, follows continually the way of penance and renewal" (C.C. 8).

(to be continued)