Monday of the First Week of Lent
Holiness…Whenever I think of the word “holy” it seems so far removed from life in America in 2012. I think of the saints, the prophets, martyrs, and biblical figures as being holy. And yet even today as Christians and Catholics we are called to be holy. The Catechism states that “All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity. All are called to holiness.” Both of the readings today give us a glimpse of how God is calling us to be “set apart” for Him.
In the first reading from Leviticus, the Lord tells Moses” Be Holy, for I, the Lord, your God am holy.” (Lev 19:2) Then the Lord gives specific instructions on how the children of Israel are to live out that call. God invites them into this covenant relationship with Him and then spells out exactly how they are expected to fulfill this commitment. “You shall not steal. You shall not lie or speak falsely to another... You shall not defraud or rob your neighbor… You shall not act dishonestly in rendering judgments…You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart.” (Leviticus 19:11-18) God shares these commands with the Israelites and expects their obedience because “I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18) By following God’s laws, the people of Israel become God’s holy people set apart for Him. God in turns promises His protection, care and mercy to His chosen people.
In the gospel reading Jesus calls his followers to holiness, but this call to be “set apart” evolves beyond following the laws of God to following God Himself in the person of Jesus. Jesus establishes a new covenant that is based on complete giving of self, and He calls those who are His chosen to do the same. In this reading, Jesus tells the story of how the Son of Man will come in glory and will separate the nations “as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” (Matthew 25:32) Those righteous ones who have acted with compassion, love and selfless giving for others are the ones that are “blessed by my Father and will inherit the kingdom.” (Matthew 25:34) It is in the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the ill, the stranger and the imprisoned that Jesus invites his disciples to live out their call to holiness. For in caring for the needs of others, a disciple shows his love and devotion to God. “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25: 40) Jesus promises “eternal life” (Matthew 25:46)-perfect holiness, union with Him- for those righteous ones who follow Him on this path of service to others.
As I reflect upon these readings, I wonder how can a person grow in holiness. Jesus shows us how to live, and He also provides us the grace to live out His call. St. Augustine reminds us that we can’t do it on our own. “Nothing whatever pertaining to godliness and real holiness can be accomplished without grace.” Jesus gives us His Spirit, so we can have the courage, wisdom and love to live as His disciple. We are not called to escape from the world, but live out our faith in the ordinary circumstances of our lives. Blessed John Paul II states “True holiness does not mean a flight from the world, rather, it lies in the effort to incarnate the Gospel in everyday life, in the family, at school, and at work, and in social and political involvement.”
Today let us pray that we may recognize the call from the Father to be holy- set apart for Him. May we look to Jesus to learn how He calls us to live our lives, and may His Spirit fill us with His grace so we can live as His disciples growing in holiness.
Marylynn Herchline