the guide to heaven
"Who are these people all dressed in white? And where have they come from?" —Revelation 7:13
Today we thank God for saving and sanctifying the saints on earth and in heaven. We especially thank Him for taking our family members, relatives, and friends to be with Him in heaven. We look forward to becoming holy and joining Jesus and the family in heaven. We cannot do this by our own power but we can let it be done to us (see Lk 1:38).
The Father and the Son have sent the Holy Spirit to make us holy. All we have to do is obey by following the lead of the Spirit (Gal 5:25). However, this is difficult to do because our flesh (human nature) lusts against the Spirit (Gal 5:17). There is a strong opposition between what we naturally want and what the Spirit wants. Therefore, to let the Spirit make us saints, we must allow the Spirit to crucify our flesh with its passions and desires (Gal 5:24). We must let the Holy Spirit take us to the cross to crucify us to the world (Gal 6:14). In this way, we become holy, able to be like our Father and "see Him as He is" (1 Jn 3:2; see also Heb 12:14).
Holiness is the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of our efforts. All saints have been produced by the Spirit. "Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22). Life in the Spirit leads to life in heaven.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, guide me to all truth (Jn 16:13). Guide me to heaven.
Promise: "How blest are the poor in spirit: the reign of God is theirs." —Mt 5:3
Praise: Praise Jesus, Who is the Light of the world! Praise the Holy Spirit, the saint-Maker!
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet Be Holy, For I am Holy.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 20, 2015
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