Striving for Sainthood: Not Me, But God

By: Lila Lowery

“9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

As we begin the new school year, I have made it my mission to “Strive for Sainthood.” I think it is an important mission for me and my peers as high schoolers, because before recently, being a Saint seemed so unreachable in my eyes. I’m just a teenager, it’s not like I’m a nun from 400 years ago. How could I ever go on that path? Well, Sainthood isn’t about one certain way of life, or only for people who did these crazy acts, like martyrdom or leading wars and battles. Sainthood is about holiness, something that everyone is called to. 

So, what is holiness? I have been trying to find that out for a long time. I went to my youth group last weekend, and the talk that was given there was about prayer. In his talk, the guy speaking mentioned a Saint Carlo Acutis quote: “Not me, but God”. This quote really stuck out to me, and it made its way back into my thoughts when I was praying in the church that night.

I was praying to God about how I felt like my relationship with Him was drying up, and I truly looked at my heart. What came to mind, what God revealed to me, was this: selfishness. All of a sudden, I became so aware of how selfish I had been. Over and over again, I’ve chosen my wants over the Lord’s. Sin is being selfish, doing something I know isn’t good for my own benefit. While praying about this, God reminded me of the Carlo quote again: “Not me, but God”. This quote changed my outlook on holiness. It’s not based on how deeply you think about theology, and it’s not just reserved for nuns and priests. Holiness is being selfless and denying yourself for God. Holiness is picking up your cross, whatever it looks like for you. It’s not being perfect, and it doesn’t look the same for everyone. It’s about thinking about what Jesus wants me to do, instead of what I want to do. Because ultimately, if we rely on our own judgment and plans, they will end up falling apart. But if we do our best to follow God’s plan, whatever it may be, that is true success. That is true holiness. 

And Saints like the newly canonized Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati inspire us because they weren’t old when they died. Carlo died when he was 15, and look at the impact his short life has had on the Church! These and many more inspiring stories show us one thing: that holiness is attainable. And these saints were selfless, too. Of course, canonized saints have quite a legacy, with prayers and statues devoted to them. But none of them had that in mind as their reason for their holiness. As you all probably know, being a devout Christian can be hard work, and it includes denying yourself and doing things for the sake of God. Saints devote their whole lives to Jesus, and that is what we are called to do as well. 

And honestly, now is the time to try to be holy. This world needs Jesus, and we can show others Christ through our holiness. So as you continue through your day and through your week, think about how you can serve God, not yourself.`