Monday March 7, 2022

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 Today's readings seem to me a response to the question, “What does holiness look like, and what is its reward?” In the first reading (Lev 19:1-2,11-18), God instructs Moses to tell the people, “Be holy for I the Lord your God am holy.” The Lord gives Moses a series of behaviours the people are to avoid as His holy people: stealing, lying, falsely swearing by God's Name, withholding labourer's wages at the end of a day, cursing the deaf, causing the blind to stumble, dishonesty or partiality in judgement, slander, failing to help a neighbour whose life is at steak, bearing hatred in the heart toward others, seeking revenge or holding a grudge. The reading ends with the command: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord.” Good material for an examination of conscience during Lent or at any time.


Psalm 19 is David's praise for God's law – not just the Ten Commandments, but the entire word of God he would have heard proclaimed, later known as the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.” God's law gives David's heart joy and brings clear vision; its ordinances are true and just. David asks for words and a heart that “find favour in [God's] sight.” He knows that God's law – God's word – will guide him there, that God Who is present in His word will transform David's heart, and enable him to live as His anointed king, to be holy as God is holy.

Matthew's Last Judgement Discourse (Mt 25: 31-46) also tells us what holiness looks like in our lives. Those who reached out to Jesus in their suffering neighbour will receive the eternal reward reserved for the holy:

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.”

I realize more with each passing year, that Lent is not just about seeing how well I've followed rules. It is more about the state of my heart in relationship with God and neighbour. The rules are necessary. They keep me on track, safe from what can harm me; they guide me to stay close to what I need in order to be the person God calls me to be. As I read today's Scriptures, I see how I fail to be holy as God is holy. I know more than ever that repentance is essential for me to live as a disciple of Jesus – to live out His gift of His holiness I received at Baptism. God is good, and each day is a new beginning in Christ.

Jesse Manibusan's song, “Open my Eyes, Lord” comes to mind in light of these readings. I'd say it captures well the attitude I need to become holy as God is holy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl-71hjQzwk&ab_channel=JesseManibusan-Topic

Link to today's readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030722.cfm

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