"La verdadera santidad no significa una huida del mundo sino que radica en el esfuerzo por encarnar el Evangelio en la vida cotidiana"

True holiness is about bringing the values of the Gospel into your daily life. It’s not about escaping the world or isolating yourself from reality. Instead, it’s about living out these values in a way that impacts everything you do—you know, the little moments and the big decisions alike.

Think about the historical context of this idea. For centuries, there was this notion that to be holy, you had to retreat from society, maybe become a monk or a nun, and cut yourself off from the everyday hustle. People thought that’s the only way to truly connect with the divine. But this quote flips that idea on its head. It’s saying you don’t need to run away to be holy. Holiness can and should be something you practice in your regular life, amidst all its messiness.

Let’s dive into a real-life example. Picture a nurse working in a busy hospital. Their day is packed, often stressful, and they’re constantly on their feet. They don’t have the luxury to retreat from the world. But in this environment, they can still embody holiness. How? By showing compassion to every patient, by treating each person with dignity, and by being a light in what can often be a dark place. They’re living out the Gospel by being kind, patient, and loving—even when it’s tough.

So how can you apply this idea yourself? Start small. You don’t need to overhaul your entire life overnight. Think about your daily interactions. Can you show more kindness? More patience? Maybe it’s forgiving someone who wronged you, or helping a neighbor in need. It’s all about those little choices we make every day that bring the values of the Gospel into our regular routines.

Now, let me tell you a story. Imagine a guy named Tom. He works a nine-to-five job in an office, surrounded by deadlines and paperwork. It’s a pretty standard setup, right? But Tom decides to take a different approach. Instead of seeing his job as just a way to pay the bills, he starts to see it as his mission field. He makes it a point to greet everyone with a smile, to help his coworkers whenever they’re swamped, and to do his work with integrity. One day, a colleague asks him why he’s always so positive and helpful. Tom explains that he’s trying to live out the values of his faith. This small conversation ends up inspiring his colleague to think differently about his own actions.

You see, Tom didn’t need to quit his job or move to a monastery to live a holy life. He did it right where he was, in his everyday environment. And you can do the same. It’s about making a conscious effort to let your values shape your actions, wherever you are.

So next time you’re feeling that pull to isolate to find holiness, remember this quote. Holiness isn’t hiding away from the world—it’s stepping into it, fully engaged, and making a difference through the way you live. Take that step. Live those values. Change the world around you, one small act of kindness at a time.