We want holiness, but we have no mercy on the weaknesses of our brethren.

The hypocrite is the person whose actions do not match his thinking. The hypocrite is one who becomes an ungodly man and sometimes becomes spiritually blind: his judgment is distorted, perverted. It is the risk of infidelity.

We want holiness, but we have no mercy on the weaknesses of our brethren. We speak in holiness, but we do not like what goes against our selfishness.

There are people who, by praying the rosary all day long, think that this is holiness. We, too, who receive communion daily, think that this is holiness. We confess two, three times a month and we think this is holiness.

What is holiness? Is it to live in expectation for the coming of the Lord. It is to give a hug when you do not want to. It is to make gestures of love when you do not want to. It’s loving when you do not want to love. It is to invite a person into your house when your desire is to close or even knock the door in front of her. It is to treat another well, it is to bear with patience, it is to love.

If Jesus came to your house at a time when you’re fighting, would you be taken to Heaven?

I have done this exercise: every time I get annoyed, I think, “What if Jesus comes now?” Or “If I go today”; He has to find me ready.

Today in every situation think, “What if Jesus comes now?”

Jesus I trust in you!

Luzia Santiago
Co-founder of the Canção Nova Community