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Practical steps to holiness. you can take these steps to experiene holiness.

Holiness is an adventure, not a business. When the odds are against you, the opportunity for holiness abounds.

I often say, divide your life into four quarters: Plans, Realities, Possibilities, and Unexpectedness. The problem is we plan our life either too much or get bogged down with the harsh realities. We diminish our hope in possibilities, keeping absolutely no space for the unexpected. Are you telling me: You have planned my life so much that there is no place for God to intervene and create a miracle?

Holiness is in living a miracle. Sometimes, you never know how and when miracles happen.

Holiness prepares you to accomplish your plans, face realities, embrace possibilities, and abruptly navigate unexpectedness in life.

Holiness often happens this unexpected realm, when the odds are against you. the choice is always to embark on such a treacherous journey.

The three steps I propose will make you ever connected. It will allow you to experience pure freedom. You will become the super ingredient - like the light and salt – in the lives of others.
Step One: Take Off Your Sandals.
You know about this: Moses was told to take off his sandals - before entering the holy ground - to stand in the presence of God. It's a metaphor- as sandals keep us away from being connected to the earth. The emphasis here is to strike a connection with God.
It's more than a feeling – being in the right place at the right time. Everything seems so perfect, yet you are not in control. It's fragile - you may not be able to name it. I am confident you felt it. I did, and still, I do.
The first step to approach holiness is to strike the connection with God. Take off whatever keeps you away from God's presence. The burning bush experience changes Moses' plans, realities, and possibilities. Your unexpected connection – God experience – will change your plans, realities, and possibilities.
Step Two: Take away the stone from the tomb
Jesus said these words, "Take away the stone" from the tomb to bring Lazarus, the dead man, to life. Pope Francis points to these very words saying, "take away the stones of all that smacks of death." The pope encourages us to take away stones from our hearts to allow life to flourish.
Remember, Lazarus – dead in the tomb for four days- cannot help himself out.
We need the assistance of kind-hearted people to clear the obstacles that turn us victims of our weaknesses. We need people to take off the stones from our hearts. We may be unaware of our helplessness. Stay open to receive compassion from other people. And you will discover holiness.
Step Three: Be Ready to Give Glory to God
The first step is dependent on your effort – take off your sandal to stay connected. The second step is based on the compassion of others to see the best in you. These are the people who roll the heavy stones away to allow you to experience pure freedom.
The third step is your actions to serve others and give glory to God.
I never knew that the words I heard from a Dominican priest would permanently change the way I look at holiness. Holiness comes into your life, unexpectantly nudging you to serve others.
In the late nineties, Father Paulson Deepak O.P., a philosophy professor at St. Charles Seminary, Nagpur, India, told us that there are two ways of saying the same thing and with a similar meaning but with totally different assumptions.
He told us that when people travel on the train, you hear the words, 'I have reached Mumbai.' It is said differently in Marathi, the local language, "Mumbai aali" meaning Mumbai has come or Mumbai has arrived.
"I have reached Mumbai," is indicative that you had a plan, and you have arrived at your desired destination. Whereas, "Mumbai has come" is more passive, assuming that you are static, and things come to you.
When people asked me, "Why come to Canada from Chicago?" I have a funny answer: Canada came to me. It is true about many things in my life: things have come into my life. I did not have a concrete plan for the future. Life happens.
When the unexpected comes into your life, it changes the strategy dramatically. You become ready to give glory to God in serving others.
The unexpected turns your world topsy-turvy. As you allow God to surprise you – you will be drawn into holiness.



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