Called to Be Holy

Response to Called to Be Holy by Archbishop Timothy Dolan

Back cover reads:
"The path to holiness is traveled step by step. The way of holiness is lived grace by grace. Your journey to god is nothing more, and nothing less, than that series of steps. But how do you take that step each day? How do you live that grace each day? How, each day, do you answer God's call, God's personal invitation to holiness? What Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan recommends, urges, reminds, and teaches is radical in the truest sense of that word: It is basic. It is at the roots. It is fundamental. This solid theologian, noted Church historian, and natural-born storyteller goes first to the source: what Christ said and promised, what Scripture and tradition tell us. Then, building on that firm foundation, here, too, is what the Church teachers: what the saints have discovered, lived, and shared; what the Fathers and Doctors of the Church have written; what "ordinary" Catholics -- on that path, accepting those graces-- have come to learn. Here is a detailed examination and encouraging explanation of faith, hope, humility, love and chastity, human formation, patience, penance, joy, and obedience. Here is how to be a good steward of the Gifts of Holy Spirit as you hear and answer God's call."

Initial thoughts:
I bought this book after the June YA CYE. I really didn't look at it too much. As a youth minister, I receive a weekly email from the Archbishop, called Some Seed Fell on Good Ground. I thought they were cute little emails until I read this in one of them: "Maybe instead of groaning that everybody has gone pagan, secular and faithless on us, we ought to rejoice in the spark of belief, hope and goodness that we almost unfailingly find in people -- even those decked out in chains, tattoos, leather jackets, and black boots." I loved it. I hit "reply" to the email- knowing that it would probably go to some secretary and not to him. I told him that I just loved it and couldn't wait to meet him. A few days later, I received a forwarded response saying "Thanks, Jenny! Archbishop Timothy Dolan." How cool is that?!

So That made me really start reading his book. I love this book. It's super simple. It's not written in this lofty, upper echelon of Church Doctrine jargon. It's down to earth, humorous, witty, and real. He had me laughing a lot! Most of all, I loved his honesty. He even quoted OSCAR WILDE!!! It took a few days to read because of distractions... but a quick read, nonetheless.

Quotes:

"People can be attracted to Jesus and his Church through her hopeful members. This is not some Pollyannaish, cheer leading, shallow optimism. This is a realistic, sturdy trust in God based on deep faith, born in experience, and bolstered by reason" (46). LOL

"One of our constant frustrations is accepting this deep insight that God passionately loves us" (67).

"He may have been tempted to lob a grenade; instead, he cast a fishing line, patiently reeled her in... and it worked. A soul has been healed and saved" (104).

"We can become proud of resumes and have a career path all charted out. Instead, Our Lady smiles and says that when you say fiat to the Lord you are surrendering your most prized commodity-- your future and your security to plan your life. Get ready for surprises, some plums, some prunes, some Bethlehems, some lost-in-the-temple episodes. In other words, be prepared for uncertainty" (155).