The integration of faith and life, of religion and morality, should be a constant concern for every committed Catholic, as it is a constant theme in much of the Church's teaching. Indeed, from the very earliest Prophets whose writings we possess in the Old Testament, and on into the New Testament, this integration is clearly expressed and so is part of our spiritual heritage. St John echoes this theme when he affirms: "The person who acts in holiness is holy indeed". Since the great enlightenment of Vatican II we have recovered the Biblical doctrine that all of us who profess faith in Christ Jesus are called to holiness. In response to the Council and indeed to Scripture itself, we should all aspire to holiness. John's words are much simpler than our modern terminology, but his teaching is the same: to be holy indeed requires that we be holy in deed, in our every action, not only occasionally, now and again, but in all our deeds and as a matter of principle.

When we feel daunted by this call to holiness "even as the Son is holy", let us remember that holiness is a gift of God, before it becomes the tenor of our lives.