This Week in Catholic Liturgy: Called Holy, Called to be Holy

In the Christian life, holiness is both a given and a summons.  The Lamb of God "takes away the sin of the world," thus fulfilling John's baptismal activity, which had been the sinner's mere external declaration of repentance and reform of life.  While Christian baptism actually accomplishes the removal of sin, it does not automatically guarantee a sinless life.  This becomes the constant vocation of those who are sanctified: to live as the Lord has fashioned us to be.