Called to Holiness: Living to Please God

Called to Holiness: Living to Please God

Reflection on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

In today’s passage from 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, St. Paul exhorts the community in Thessalonica—and by extension, all of us—to live in a way that pleases God. He reminds them that they already know how to live as Christians, but now they must “do so more and more.” This is not simply about knowing the faith but about allowing it to transform daily life.

Paul specifically addresses holiness and purity. He says, “This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from immorality.” For Paul, holiness is not an abstract ideal; it is concrete. It shows itself in the way we treat our own bodies and in the way we respect others. He is clear: each person must “control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.”

This teaching is very relevant today. Our culture often promotes instant gratification, treating human beings as objects for pleasure rather than persons made in the image and likeness of God. But Paul reminds us that to belong to Christ is to live differently—to resist these tendencies and to strive for purity of heart and body. Holiness is not about restriction, but about freedom: freedom from sin, freedom from being enslaved to impulses, and freedom to love authentically.

Notice also that Paul links holiness with the presence of the Holy Spirit: “God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” Holiness is not achieved by our strength alone. It is the Spirit dwelling within us who purifies, strengthens, and guides us toward a life pleasing to God.

As Catholics, this means being attentive not just to the “big sins” but also to the small compromises that dull our spiritual senses. It means treating our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, respecting the dignity of others, and avoiding situations that pull us away from purity. It also means availing ourselves of the sacraments—especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation—which cleanse us, strengthen us, and help us “grow more and more” in holiness.

Key Takeaway:
God’s will for each of us is sanctification—to grow in holiness day by day. Through the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to live pure, honorable lives that please God, witnessing to the world that true freedom and joy are found in Him alone.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,
we thank You for calling us to holiness and for giving us Your Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us. Help us to live in purity, honoring You with our bodies, our minds, and our hearts. Teach us to resist temptation and to love others with true respect and dignity. May the sacraments be our strength, and may we always strive to grow “more and more” in pleasing You. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.