Salvation vs. Sanctification

From our Spiritual Advisor:

Salvation vs. Sanctification. What is the difference? What is the meaning to us Cursillistas?

Typically, “Salvation” is thought of as being able to achieve salvation or to lose salvation. That is being in a state of grace or being out of a state of grace. To be in a state of grace we are saved and to be in a state of sin we are not saved. But what is the truth of the matter, there is but one salvation and it is salvation to all of humankind. This salvific event has occurred because Jesus the Christ made it occur through him. The salvation event has happened, and it has happened to all humankind. This is what we celebrate at Easter in particular.

If we were to take time to reflect on this event in our human history, we would quickly understand that God, the creator of all humankind, wishes a deep relationship with all of God’s creation. The Salvation event has allowed all humankind to participate in a closer, deeper relationship with the creator. All humankind is invited through the act of salvation in Jesus the Christ.

You may ask then, if everyone is saved, what is there to do? We hear from our protestant brothers and sisters on occasion, “Once saved always saved”. In a sense this is true since Jesus sacrificed himself for all of humankind. We, as humans, can’t undo salvation. Salvation has happened. From that time of salvation until now, God seeks a deepening relationship with each of us. When we act as God wishes us to act, we deepen our relationship. When we don’t act as God wishes us to act, we strain that relationship.

It all about growing in a love relationship with God. This is where sanctification comes into play. God offers to us every opportunity to grow deeper in relationship. This process is what might be termed “Sanctification”. We have all heard about Sanctifying Grace. Remember the weekend. Sanctifying Grace is received in the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, Sanctifying Grace is received in the acts of kindness that we participate in throughout our lives. Recognizing the grace that God bestows on us when we work as God would have us work to bring about the deepening of relationship with God to others actually brings us closer in relationship with God.

As Cursillistas we pledge to “Make a Friend” and “Be a Friend” and to “Bring a Friend to Christ”. These aren’t just words but an action which is Sanctifying. We are called to be the means of Sanctifying Grace.

So, when we are speaking about others in a disparaging way or treat others in an un–Christ like way, we move ourselves and those who hear us away from a deepening relationship with God.

Ponder this suggestion. If eternity is based solely on our earthly relationship with God, what would our eternity look like? What would our eternity feel like? Heaven vs. Hell could be just that. A close relationship with God or a distant relationship with God. What might your eternity look like and are you bringing this notion of relationship with God to those around you? Watch what you post on Social Media. There is a lot of hate out there on Social Media. Don’t be part of hate speech. Jesus didn’t speak words of hate, only comfort.

Deacon Tom Soper

St. Catherine of Siena and St. Clement parishes of Toledo