Monday of the First Week of Lent
In today’s reading God tells us that we are to be “holy” like Him. God is love, and He calls us to love like Him. Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta had remarkable insight into holiness when she said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” When we do even the smallest things with love for others and for God, we allow our everyday experiences to become opportunities for growing in holiness.
Blessed Mother Teresa’s quote came to mind following a recent experience I had while traveling. When I was in the airport, I was so impressed by a woman who was working in one of the women’s restrooms. With every person that walked in she would great them with a smile and a warm hello, and then indicate where an open stall was available. The entire area was immaculate, and the woman had even provided a small table with mints and other toiletries free of charge. She treated each and every person with respect and hospitality. Even though her job was not a glamorous job, in her kindness and warmth I think she was truly living out her job with great love. In some ways she reminded me of what it means to be holy, since she was doing small simple things with love and concern. In the most ordinary, and some people would say a thankless kind of job, this woman showed me how to be holy even in the everyday.
As I read today’s reading, I wondered what the Israelites thought when they heard God tell them to be “holy”. I think that for many people today being holy is not even a consideration. Many believe that holiness is beyond their reach. And yet when God speaks to the Israelites I think He is also speaking to us. He does not say some of you should strive to be holy, but He commands “Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.” (Lev 19:1) The LORD then goes on to tell the Israelites how to be like Him by following His commandments. These commands involve honesty, being non-judgmental, caring for those that are in need (the blind and deaf), respecting others, and finally loving others as yourself. Throughout this litany of directives, God reminds us that “I am the LORD”. This is important not only because He is God and He has the authority to direct us in this way, but I think God is reminding us that holiness comes from the ordinary actions of loving others and loving Him in the way we live our lives.
Jesus confirms that the deeds done in love for other ( feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, and visiting the imprisoned) are the very things that we are not just doing for others, but we are doing for Him. Those who have shown care and concern for others (particularly for those in need) are the people who He welcomes into His kingdom.
So then how can we be “holy” even in our everyday living? I know that I am like most people, and I will not do “great things” in my life, but hopefully in the smallest of things, I can still try to do them with great love. Being “holy” in our lives begins in the simple, maybe even menial everyday tasks. Doing the laundry for the family, treating our co-workers with respect, doing our jobs with integrity- each of these can be a means to grow in holiness if we recognize in these actions God’s call for us to love others and to care for others as He has cared for us. We are only able to imitate Christ in this way if we are open to His Spirit in our life. It is through the grace of the Spirit that we can share God’s love even in the small details of our lives. Like the woman in the airport restroom, if we do our simple tasks with love, then even a smile, a warm greeting, and a table of toiletries can be a “holy” everyday occurrence.
"Heavenly Father, you call us to be holy like You. Your Son, Jesus shows us through word and Spirit how we are called to be holy through our love for others. Help us to be open to your Spirit, so we can allow your love to permeate every part of our lives. May we do everything with great love for you and for others . May our lives become “holy” offerings that bring You praise and glory. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. AMEN"
- Marylynn Herchline