Wait so it’s allowable and normal to do this? I’ve always thought it was prideful to dream of being a saint as to not be prideful, like how could I deem myself worthy of becoming a saint? Or even compare myself to them?
We, the baptized, were all given new birth, and all have the Holy Spirit, with Sanctifying Grace infused in our souls. We are new and divine creatures, with the qualities of the Virtues penetrating the depths of our souls as the Holy Spirit dances within us as he moved over the waters of the first creation; the Spiration of the Love of the Father and Son being the breath of this new creature’s soul.
It is identical to that Sanctifying Grace infusing the Saints, no less. What is the difference? Growth in the use of that Grace, in using the Virtues that are now part of us by the presence of this Spirit of Christ. They did their doings virtuously, whatever their daily doings were.
John was asked by the repentant converts, “What should we do now?” and he told them how to do what they are doing as Saints rather than their pre-repentance method of doing the same things
“He who has two tunics, give one to him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise” - virtuously use the wealth you have.
To soldiers: .“Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.” - virtuously do your soldiering today, and virtuously enjoy your pay.
To tax collectors: “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” - virtuously do your tax collecting now, today.
Later Jesus walked by the tax booth of one of them and said “Follow me”, and later that tax collector wrote a long 28 chapter book about Jesus. Because he did all his doings virtuously, even writing this book virtuously, we now see that this tax collector is a Saint, St. Matthew.
You are what they were, with the Spirit infusing your soul - a new creation, and new creature. So, try it out - “I am going to do this thing that I am doing virtuously.” with each thing you do.
Are you driving to work? “I am going to drive virtuously”.
Are you making supper? “I am going to prepare the meal virtuously”.
Are you talking to a co-worker? “I am going to talk and act virtuously to this person right now.”
Are you shopping? “I am going to shop virtuously, spend virtuously, speak to fellow shoppers and clerks virtuously.”
Are you at Mass? “I am going to do my part in this sacrifice virtuously.”
Are you at confession? “I am going to confess my sins virtuously to the Priest and to Christ virtuously and resolve to amend my life virtuously.” etc.
What happens? The new life in your soul, the soul infused with Virtue, is now in the material world also, and not just in your soul. Now your “body”, including your brain and physical thoughts, is a true representation of your soul.
Put away the daydreams, the pre-thinking, the forethought, of becoming a Saint to get some kind of selfish benefit from it. Instead use the Virtues - that is what the Saints did, and that is what you “imitate”.
