The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021917.cfm)
reminds me that God wants me to be holy.
When
we look up to people, we observe them. We study them. And sometimes, we want to
be like them. We want to have their attitude and the good things about them.
This is how we should be with God, especially that in the first reading, he
told us so.
Be Holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy.
Wow,
ang bigat! We tend to think that holiness is something we cannot attain. We
tend to think that only saints are holy. We tend to think we cannot be holy. We
forget that saints are human beings too, like you and I, that lived on this
earth and experienced the same things we are experiencing. We forget that since
God is holy, and we are creatures of God, we are asked to be holy, and we can
be holy.
But
what is holy? To be holy simply means to be dedicated or consecrated to God.
Holiness
does not necessarily mean you don’t sin. Holiness does not necessarily mean
you’ll go out into the world and preach the gospel to everyone. Holiness does
not necessarily mean you know the bible from cover to cover, and can perform
miracles just like Jesus.
Holiness
means being dedicated or consecrated to God. Whatever we do.Wherever we are.
Holiness is praying even if the world seems to take up
all your time. Holiness is going to mass even if other people invite you to go
to a movie or hang out. Holiness is living the gospel values even if people
around you do otherwise. Holiness is doing good to or simply treating someone
fairly, even if that someone annoys you at work. Holiness is seeking God in
this busy world.
We
can be holy wherever we are and whatever we do.
It is easy to be holy? No. but is it worth is?
Definitely!
When
we are trying to be holy, we die of our self and allow God to live in us. We
are giving up our wants, our worldly desires, and we are living a holy life to
follow Christ. Then we will be rewarded with life with him for eternity.
What
is my notation of holiness? Do I think of it as something I cannot attain, and
reserved only for the saints and the religious? What is Jesus telling me today
about holiness? Do I want to be holy? How can I start being holy?
May
we be aware that we can be holy, and start baby steps in living a life of
holiness.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for
another Sunday. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for letting me know that
I can be holy, and that you are calling me to be holy. Lord, sorry for the
times I do not think of holiness. Sorry for the times I am too busy with the
world. Lord, I ask that I be more sensitive and aware of how I can be holy in
my own little way, wherever I am and whatever I do. May I always seek to be
more and more like you, in holiness and love of God the Father. These I ask in
the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
Blessed
Sunday!
In
Christ,
-g-
Ps
See
related reflection:
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February 19, 2017
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 79
Reading 1 Lv 19:1-2, 17-18
"Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them:
Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.
"You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart.
Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen,
do not incur sin because of him.
Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
I am the LORD."
Responsorial Psalm Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He pardons all your iniquities,
heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Reading 2 1 Cor 3:16-23
Do you not know that you are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person;
for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.
Let no one deceive himself.
If any one among you considers himself wise in this age,
let him become a fool, so as to become wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God,
for it is written:
God catches the wise in their own ruses,
and again:
The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise,
that they are vain.
So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you,
Paul or Apollos or Cephas,
or the world or life or death,
or the present or the future:
all belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.
Alleluia 1 Jn 2:5
Whoever keeps the word of Christ,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mt 5:38-48
"You have heard that it was said,
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.
When someone strikes you on your right cheek,
turn the other one as well.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,
hand over your cloak as well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile,
go for two miles.
Give to the one who asks of you,
and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.
"You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."
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