For thirty years, Jesus grew up in Nazareth living a quiet, ordinary life. But it was an ordinary life of extreme holiness. He learned a trade, helped around the house, and spent time growing in wisdom and favor with God and man (Lk. 2:52).

Jesus didn’t limit holiness to extraordinary things like bilocation, floating, or visions. Instead, He brought holiness into the simple moments of daily life in family and community. He loved in the small, hard things that make up our days.

Our everyday, ordinary lives are filled with invitations to heroic love and extreme sacrifice of charity.

Where is He inviting you? Is it to clean the dishes for your spouse with pure love? Is it to put away the podcasts, TV, and videos, so your heart can be freed from the distractions that keep His voice out? Is it to actually believe that you can be a saint?

Your life does not need to be spectacular for Him to call you to the heights of holiness. You only need the willingness to encounter Jesus every day in mental prayer; the courage to let Him transform your brokenness; and the effort to do His will in your life.

This is real holiness.