Holiness, that ideal that seems so distant and reserved for a few, is a highway open to all. However, like any highway, it has its tolls. Following the example of great saints such as St. Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and St. John Paul II, we can better understand how to travel this road and pay the necessary tolls.
Holiness in the Ordinary (St. Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer)
St. Josemaría Escrivá teaches us that holiness is found in everyday life, in common, ordinary tasks. Each daily action can be an opportunity to get closer to God, transforming ordinary tasks into acts of love and service. “Do what you must and be in what you do,” he said, highlighting the importance of excellence and the presence of God in every moment. Here, the toll is dedication and effort in carrying out our daily activities with love and devotion.
Service to the Poorest (Mother Teresa of Calcutta)
Mother Teresa dedicated her life to caring for the poorest of the poor, seeing in each person the face of Christ. She taught that love and compassion toward the marginalized and forgotten is a direct path to holiness. This selfless service is one of the most challenging tolls on the highway to holiness. By paying this toll, by serving those most in need, we draw closer to God and advance on our spiritual path.
Fidelity and Perseverance (Saint John Paul II)
Saint John Paul II displayed a life of total dedication to God, facing adversity with strength and hope. His motto “Totus Tuus” reflected his total dedication to Mary and, through her, to Christ. Fidelity and perseverance are essential tolls on the highway to holiness. Standing firm in our faith and persisting in prayer, even in times of difficulty, is crucial to progress on this path.
Love and Sacrifice (Mother Teresa of Calcutta)
Mother Teresa emphasized that true love always includes sacrifice. She taught that serving others with joy and generosity is a reflection of God’s love in the world. Sacrificial love is another toll on the highway to holiness. Being willing to sacrifice ourselves for others, offering our love without reservation, is an indispensable requirement for progress on this spiritual path.
Testimony of Life (Saint John Paul II and Saint Josemaría Escrivá)
Both Saint John Paul II and Saint Josemaría Escrivá reminded us that our lives must be an example of evangelical values. Living with coherence, integrity and authenticity, reflecting God’s love and mercy, is essential to leading others to faith. To live a life of witness is to pay the toll of consistency and authenticity, showing others the path to holiness.
The path to holiness is accessible to all, but it requires the payment of tolls through love, service, fidelity, sacrifice and life-long witness. Following the example of St. Josemaría Escrivá, Mother Teresa of Calcutta and St. John Paul II, we can embark on this spiritual highway. May their lives inspire us to move forward with determination and joy, trusting that each toll paid brings us closer to God and true holiness.
