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Pythagoras
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This is a favorite quotation of St. Francis of Assisi. I like it but my question is if I make myself holy what’s the connection of being able to sanctify society then?
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"Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society" - what does it mean?
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John_Martin
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Aristotle wrote: “Man was born for citizenship” (perhaps his version of “no man is an island”).
If you are holy, there is a bit of holiness in society, in the world.
Abraham asked the Lord, “If you find ten righteous people, will you not spare the cities (Sodom and Gomorrah)?” And God: “Yes, if I find ten righteous (just, good), I will spare the cities”.
If you are sacramentally a member of Christ’s body in the world, you are a source of salvation for the world, because Jesus said, “When I was hungry you gave me to eat…When you did this to the least of my brethren you did it to me”. So if you are Christ to your neighbors, you are giving them a place to find salvation, either by joining you in being a member of Christ, or by the way they treat you in the world (helping or hindering you as a member of Christ).
If you are holy, there is a bit of holiness in society, in the world.
Abraham asked the Lord, “If you find ten righteous people, will you not spare the cities (Sodom and Gomorrah)?” And God: “Yes, if I find ten righteous (just, good), I will spare the cities”.
If you are sacramentally a member of Christ’s body in the world, you are a source of salvation for the world, because Jesus said, “When I was hungry you gave me to eat…When you did this to the least of my brethren you did it to me”. So if you are Christ to your neighbors, you are giving them a place to find salvation, either by joining you in being a member of Christ, or by the way they treat you in the world (helping or hindering you as a member of Christ).
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Sirach2
Guest
In John 17:19, we read Jesus’ words:This is a favorite quotation of St. Francis of Assisi. I like it but my question is if I make myself holy what’s the connection of being able to sanctify society then?
And for** their** sake, I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
I have always loved this scripture and it is the very incentive for me to become holy so that those who are bonded with me in spirit, may also become holy. Think of it as an infusion where all parts of the human body benefit. So too, in the Mystical Body of Christ. St. Paul said it this way in 1 Cor: 12:
Now the body is not a single part, but many.
If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.
If you adorn your hand with a beautiful ring, but only on one finger, does not the entire hand share in the beauty?
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Dorothy
Guest
From my own experience: The connection is that holy, truly loving selfless people I have met in my life have inspired me to love the Lord more.This is a favorite quotation of St. Francis of Assisi. I like it but my question is if I make myself holy what’s the connection of being able to sanctify society then?
And, it is God who makes us holy…if we are receptive to His grace.
It is a daily adventure…time is a gift to us to respond to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who paid such a high price for it.
We all need to be renewed daily.
St. Francis of Assisi, Pray for us!
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pianistclare
Guest
We can clearly understand that when evil permeates a society, it follows that everyone there is diminished and harmed by the evil activity.
Like wise for the good. When people make an effort to be just, holy, faithful, and selfless, the society as a whole is enriched, blessed, strengthened and uplifted.
In our present culture, people have this notion that everything they do ONLY affects them, that things are none of anyone’s business and everyone has “rights” to do whatever they please. But it’s not too hard to realize that when people step out of the marriages in affairs, that the entire family suffers. People break the law and text while driving harm not just the folks in their car, but potentially kill other innocent people. When people are greedy, the community in which they operate lacks resources. When people model poor behavior for children, then children don’t conform themselves to rightly ordered behavior.
What you do DOES make a difference in the world. We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ. Not the minions of the prince of darkness. It can’t really be emphasized enough, IMHO.
Peace.
Like wise for the good. When people make an effort to be just, holy, faithful, and selfless, the society as a whole is enriched, blessed, strengthened and uplifted.
In our present culture, people have this notion that everything they do ONLY affects them, that things are none of anyone’s business and everyone has “rights” to do whatever they please. But it’s not too hard to realize that when people step out of the marriages in affairs, that the entire family suffers. People break the law and text while driving harm not just the folks in their car, but potentially kill other innocent people. When people are greedy, the community in which they operate lacks resources. When people model poor behavior for children, then children don’t conform themselves to rightly ordered behavior.
What you do DOES make a difference in the world. We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ. Not the minions of the prince of darkness. It can’t really be emphasized enough, IMHO.
Peace.
I
InLight247
Guest
There is a Chinese saying:
It means to start from the basic and the ripple effect will affect big. We cannot control others but we can be responsible for ourselves. If everyone sanctifies himself, the society is bound to be influenced.修身、齊家、治國、平天下。
Sanctify yourself first, make one’s family decent, then the country may be in good order and followed by world peace.
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Pythagoras
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Nice thoughts!
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