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We must have a real living determination to reach holiness. ''I will be a saint'' means I will despoil myself of all that is not God; I will strip my heart of all created things; I will live in poverty and detachment; I will renounce my will, my inclinations, my whims and fancies, and make make myself a willing slave to the will of God.
Mother Teresa
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Interpretation

What this quote means

True holiness requires a deep commitment to renounce worldly desires and align one's will with God's.

In this quote, Mother Teresa emphasizes the profound resolve needed to attain holiness. She illustrates that declaring an intention to become a saint involves significant sacrifices, including letting go of material possessions, desires, and personal inclinations. This path demands a complete alignment with God's will, underscoring the depth of commitment one must have in the pursuit of spiritual purity and selflessness.

Themes

HolinessDeterminationSelflessnessSpiritualitySacrifice

In practice

Example use cases

In a sermon about selflessness, one might quote this to inspire congregants to prioritize spiritual devotion.

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