I know that if you have been following this article you have come to realize that the “call to holiness” is many different things. First and foremost, however, the call to holiness is a call to a deeper union with God. Christian teaching tells us that there is a “possibility”, a “potentiality” of a “union” of man with God, of a direct “vision” of Him, of a “participation” in Him, through grace. For this to happen, however, humans must “cooperate” with God. Like all true relationships, there must be a mutual desire for real union.

Now we do know through the revelation make to humankind by Jesus, the Son of God, that God is always open for a real union with humans. So God Himself is never the real obstacle to deeper union. It is always humans who pose a barrier to greater union by their lack of trust and limited faith.

I do believe that it is difficult for Western Christians to develop real faith because of the approach we are schooled in to always seek real data – proof – for the things that we say we believe. As I always say to others, if I have proof about something I don’t have or need faith. I have faith when I believe in something that I cannot prove. Although Western Christians have tried to suggest that they can advance “proof” for God, these proofs are al-ways circular arguments and really don’t prove anything. And again, if I can prove God’s existence, why do I have to have faith? This approach only means that I have faith in my own ability to prove something and not faith in what I prove.

So the call to holiness is a call to have absolute faith in the existence of God and the relationship that He desires to have with humans.