All people are God’s creations.  We are not just called to be ‘good’, we are called to be ‘holy’ for we are created in the image of God and God is Holy!  “For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness” 1 Thessalonians 4:7  In this reflection, let’s explore what it means to be ‘holy’ for this is our sacred calling if we choose to accept it.

The opposite of being holy is being sinful.  Sin defiles the souls and destroys the beauty of the soul God created.

“But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear” Isaiah 59:2

STEP ONE IN BECOMING HOLY – FAITH AND FORGIVENESS

The first step in our path to holiness is to believe in God and to seek forgiveness.  We must turn to God with faith and with sorrow for our sins, trusting in His Mercy and praying for His forgiveness and restoration.   Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour waits for us to come to Him for purification.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1: 14-16

Holiness is God’s absolute moral perfection.  There is no sin in God; He is all-righteous, all- beautiful, all-knowing, all-loving, all-powerful, ever present and always ready to receive us when we acknowledge our sins and pray for His mercy.

HOLINESS REQUIRES A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

We cannot become ‘holy’ on our own. Holiness is born in a divine relationship with Our Holy God, one-day-at-a-time, one-moment-at-a-time.  We must imagine ourselves holding God’s hand step by step as we journey through life.  In this way, we must persistently strive to stand in His Holy presence and discern His Holy Will and His Holy Way.

God’s Holy Will and God’s Holy Way can be summarized in one word and that word is LOVE!

“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.  And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.  Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.  We love each other because he loved us first.”  1 John 4: 16-19

GOD’S GRACE IS THE SOURCE OF HOLINESS

God exists as a Holy Trinity, ONE God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  God chose to send us His Son Jesus, True God, True Man so that we could be reconciled to Him through His divine sacrifice.  Jesus gave His life so that we could come to live in Him in a communion of holiness.

Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5

This powerful image of the branch attached to the vine dependant on the life-giving sustenance of the vine communicates our need for the continuous spiritual grace that comes from Jesus, Our Lord.  God’s grace is the source of holiness, enabling us to first desire to be holy and then to seek to be holy.

Communication with Our Lord in prayer and with continuous reflection on His Holy Word allows us to be connected with God, sustained by His love and power.

Let’s recap.

God calls us to be Holy for He is Holy.  This spiritual perfection is something that can only be achieved in a persistent relationship with God that is born out of faith, trust, repentance and continuous obedience.  God will forgive us our sins if we confess them and strive to live faithful to His Will.

GOD PUTS HIS HOLY SEAL ON US

In our spiritual journey God wills to put His Seal on us as a sign of His love and His Fatherhood.  This seal distinguishes us as ‘children of God’.   This begins in Baptism when God fills us with His Holy Spirit.

Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”  Acts 2:38-39

GOD FEEDS US IN HOLY COMMUNION

Jesus gives us His Body and Blood in the Sacrament of the Eucharist to fill us with His grace and life-giving power.  Jesus says, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:54. “For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.  Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.  I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”  John 6: 55-58

St. Paul reminded people to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist with faith and reverence:  “Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.  For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.” 1 Corinthians 11:29

HOLINESS BEARS FRUIT

If we strive to live in a persistent holy relationship with God, we can expect God’s Holy Spirit will be given to us to enable us to live a holy life.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:23

When we embrace God’s holiness we will become more generous, more charitable, more merciful, more forgiving and loving.  We will reject all forms of impurity; we will love not lust, praising and thanking God at all times for His providence.

HOLINESS CHANGES THE WORLD – ONE SOUL AT A TIME

God’s holy love changes the hearts and minds of His people.  Transformed by God’s Holy Spirit we can begin desiring what God desires.  Can you imagine how different our world would be if people could strive to be holy?

LET US PRAY FOR HOLINESS

Please join Christians of all denominations, all over the world, in a daily moment of prayer and remembrance of the Passion of Christ.  At 3pm, the Time Jesus died for us, please stop and remember how much Jesus suffered to open the gates of heaven to us.  Pick any 3 o’clock time zone that is convenient for prayer and then pray intensely for Jesus to send us His Holy Spirit to stop evil and violence in our world and to bring souls to faith and repentance.  Let us pray for the Spirit of God to transform our world, enabling us to be witnesses of His holy love.  Remember God is all-powerful and our prayers are so very precious to Him.  There are so many souls that depend on your willingness to pray for them, so please never give up praying for miracles.  For God all things are possible!

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  Hebrews 4:16