Embracing the Universal Call to Holiness
Summary
In today’s Gospel, Jesus sends out not just the twelve apostles, but seventy-two disciples—ordinary men and women who have been formed by walking with Him. This act is a powerful reminder that the call to holiness is not reserved for a select few, but is meant for everyone. The Second Vatican Council emphasized this “universal call to holiness,” a truth that sometimes gets lost as we imagine sanctity is for priests, religious, or those with more time or fewer responsibilities. Yet, as seen in the sending of the seventy-two, God calls each of us, in our unique circumstances, to prepare the way for Christ in the world.
Saint Francis de Sales, a bishop who championed the holiness of the laity, reminds us that sanctity is not about escaping the world, but about living faithfully within it. The story of Jan Tyranowski, a humble Polish tailor with little formal education, illustrates this beautifully. Despite his introverted nature and the hardships of Nazi-occupied Poland, Jan responded to God’s invitation to lead a small group of young men in prayer and spiritual growth. His simple “yes” bore fruit beyond what he could have imagined—one of those young men became Pope John Paul II, whose life and ministry transformed the Church.
God’s call to holiness is not a one-size-fits-all path. It looks different for each of us, depending on our season of life and our daily responsibilities. The key is to invite Jesus into our ordinary routines, asking Him to show us how to love and serve right where we are. A deep interior life—rooted in daily prayer and openness to God’s grace—is essential. Even when we stumble or feel unworthy, we are called to get back up, trusting in God’s mercy and strength.
Holiness is not about perfection or being free from sin; it’s about allowing Jesus to transform us, day by day. The saints were not perfect people—they were sinners who kept saying “yes” to God. No matter our past or our weaknesses, God’s invitation is for each of us. By responding with faith, even in small ways, we become instruments of His love and prepare the way for Christ in the lives of others.
Key Takeaways
- The universal call to holiness means that every Christian, not just clergy or religious, is invited to become a saint. This call is rooted in our baptism and is meant to be lived out in the midst of our daily lives, with all their busyness and challenges. Holiness is not a distant ideal, but a present invitation for each of us. [00:45]
- Passing the responsibility for holiness to others—thinking it’s for priests, religious, or “holier” people—is a subtle temptation. True sanctity begins when we accept that God’s call is personal and immediate, right where we are, with our unique gifts and limitations. The journey starts with our own “yes.” [03:10]
- The story of Jan Tyranowski shows that God can use anyone, regardless of education, personality, or circumstance, to profoundly impact others. By stepping out in faith, even when uncomfortable, we open ourselves to God’s grace, which can ripple out in ways we may never see. Our small acts of faithfulness can bear extraordinary fruit. [06:00]
- A deep interior life—cultivated through daily prayer and openness to God—is the wellspring of all effective Christian witness. The saints, including John Paul II, drew their strength and fruitfulness from time spent with God. Our ability to love and serve others flows from this hidden source. [13:00]
- Holiness is not about never failing, but about perseverance and trust in God’s mercy. When we stumble, we are called to get back up, ask for grace, and continue the journey. God delights in our desire to be saints, no matter how imperfectly we respond, and He transforms our weakness into strength. [15:30]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two
[02:10] - The Universal Call to Holiness
[03:10] - Misconceptions About Holiness
[04:30] - Saint Francis de Sales and the Laity
[05:20] - The Story of Jan Tyranowski
[07:30] - The Power of a Simple “Yes”
[09:00] - Holiness in Ordinary Life
[10:30] - God’s Plan in Every Season
[12:00] - The Importance of Prayer
[13:00] - The Interior Life of the Saints
[14:20] - Sharing Jesus in Daily Actions
[15:30] - Perseverance and God’s Mercy
[16:30] - Saints with Imperfect Pasts
[17:30] - Embracing the Call to Holiness
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Universal Call to Holiness
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### Bible Reading
Luke 10:1-3 (ESV)
> After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.”
1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV)
> But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Luke 10, who does Jesus send out, and what is their mission? How is this different from just sending the twelve apostles? [00:45]
2. According to the sermon, what is the “universal call to holiness” and how does it relate to the story of the seventy-two? [02:10]
3. What was Jan Tyranowski’s background, and what did he do that made such a big impact? [05:20]
4. What role does daily prayer and the “interior life” play in the lives of the saints mentioned in the sermon? [13:00]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to send out ordinary disciples, not just the apostles, to prepare the way for him? What does this say about God’s plan for all believers? [00:45]
2. The sermon mentions that people often think holiness is for “someone else”—priests, religious, or people with more time. Why is this a common misconception, and how does it affect the way we live out our faith? [03:10]
3. Jan Tyranowski was an introvert with little formal education, yet God used him in a powerful way. What does his story teach us about the kinds of people God calls and uses? [06:00]
4. The saints were not perfect, but they kept saying “yes” to God. How does this challenge our ideas about what it means to be holy? [15:30]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says holiness is not just for priests or “super-Christians,” but for everyone. Do you ever feel like holiness is out of reach for you? What holds you back from believing God is calling you to be a saint? [03:10]
2. Jan Tyranowski stepped out in faith even though he was uncomfortable and unsure. Is there an area in your life where you sense God inviting you to step out, even if it feels scary or inconvenient? What would it look like to say “yes” this week? [06:00]
3. The sermon talks about inviting Jesus into our ordinary routines. What is one daily habit or moment where you could intentionally invite Jesus in—at work, with family, or in your free time? [09:00]
4. The saints drew strength from a deep interior life of prayer. How is your prayer life right now? Is there a small, practical step you could take to deepen it this week? [13:00]
5. When you stumble or feel unworthy, the sermon encourages getting back up and trusting in God’s mercy. Can you share a time when you felt like giving up spiritually? What helped you keep going? [15:30]
6. The story of Jan Tyranowski shows that small acts of faithfulness can have a big impact. Who is someone in your life you could encourage or pray for this week, even in a simple way? [07:30]
7. The sermon says, “It’s not difficult to be a saint… we just have to ask Jesus every day.” What is one simple prayer you could start praying each morning to help you live out this call to holiness? [17:30]
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Closing Prayer:
Invite the group to pray for the grace to say “yes” to God in the ordinary moments of life, and to trust that He can use each of us, no matter our background or weaknesses, to prepare the way for Christ in the world.
Devotional
Day 1: The Universal Call to Holiness
Every Christian, not just priests or religious, is called to holiness in their daily life. This call is not reserved for a select few but is a universal invitation from God to each person, regardless of their vocation, background, or past. The Lord desires to work through ordinary people in ordinary circumstances, just as He sent out the seventy-two disciples, not just the twelve apostles, to prepare the way for Him. No matter your state in life—whether you are busy with work, family, or other responsibilities—God has a unique plan for you to grow in holiness right where you are. The key is to recognize that this call is for you, today, and to respond with openness and trust. [00:30]
Luke 10:1-2 (ESV)
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Reflection: In what specific area of your daily life do you sense God inviting you to prepare the way for Him, and how can you respond to that call this week?
Day 2: Saying Yes to God’s Invitation, Even When It’s Uncomfortable
God often calls us to step out in faith, even when we feel unqualified or uncomfortable, just as Jan Tiranowski did when he was asked to lead young people despite his introverted nature and lack of formal education. When we say yes to God’s invitation, He provides the grace, strength, and ability needed to fulfill His purpose through us. Our willingness to respond, even in small ways, can have a profound impact on others—sometimes in ways we may never see. Trust that God will equip you for whatever He asks, and remember that your “yes” can be the beginning of a ripple effect of grace in the lives of those around you. [03:50]
Philippians 4:13 (ESV)
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Reflection: What is one area where you feel God is nudging you out of your comfort zone, and what small step can you take today to say “yes” to His invitation?
Day 3: The Power of a Deep Interior Life
A vibrant and consistent prayer life is the foundation for holiness and effective witness. The saints, like St. John Paul II, drew their strength and fruitfulness from deep communion with God in prayer. It is through this interior life that we receive the grace to love, serve, and share Jesus with others—not just through words, but through the way we live and treat those around us. Even if you struggle or fail in maintaining prayer, the important thing is to keep returning to God, asking for His grace to begin again. Your daily commitment to prayer, however simple, is the wellspring from which all other good flows. [09:10]
Matthew 6:6 (ESV)
But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Reflection: What is one practical way you can deepen your prayer life this week, and how might this impact your interactions with others?
Day 4: Holiness Is for Everyone, No Matter Your Past
God’s call to holiness is not limited by your past mistakes or failures. The lives of great saints like St. Augustine, St. Paul, and St. Peter show that even those who were once great sinners can become great saints when they allow Jesus to transform them. Do not believe the lie that holiness is for someone else or that your past disqualifies you. God’s mercy is greater than any sin, and He invites you today to receive His forgiveness and to begin anew on the path to sainthood. [13:30]
1 Timothy 1:15-16 (ESV)
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
Reflection: Is there a past mistake or regret that makes you feel unworthy of holiness? How can you bring this to Jesus today and accept His mercy?
Day 5: Becoming a Saint Is Simpler Than We Think
Holiness is not about extraordinary achievements but about daily asking Jesus for the grace to follow Him and to become the person He calls you to be. It is not easy, but it is not complicated: it begins with a sincere desire and a simple prayer, “Jesus, I want to be a saint. Help me to know how to do that this day.” By faithfully seeking God’s will and relying on His grace, you can grow in holiness one day at a time, no matter your circumstances. [15:00]
Psalm 37:5 (ESV)
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
Reflection: What is one simple prayer or intention you can make each morning this week to invite Jesus to guide you on the path to holiness?
Quotes
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