To Be Holy

To be holy……..what a wonderful goal.  But how exactly does one approach holiness?  Does it mean more time on one’s knees, frequent Masses, Communions, confessions?   All wonderful devotions and practices. But what else can one do?  

Our Family Liturgy Choir has had some answers about being holy and good and bringing God’s light to their world.  They share in their prayer before we sing that they can bring Jesus to others by reaching out to a new student; they can be concerned for a sick classmate; they can show kindness to one who is not included in friend activities at school;  they can (and do) pray for a family member who is having a difficult time.  This is holiness in action.  And I learn from this group of young people how to be holy.  They are Jesus to me.

But to be holy is a daily challenge.  I have all sorts of holy thoughts as I pray in the morning at home or at Mass.  But then going into “the world” of responsibilities and work can steer me off course in matter of minutes.  That person is irritating or that task is annoying and/or frustrating.  Or I just want to stay on the couch and binge-watch a favorite Netflix series rather than do God’s work which the Lord has chosen for me.

A couple weeks ago I attended a conference in Boston on spirituality.  Two days of focusing on one simple message has given me new life for my weaknesses.  BEGIN AGAIN.  That’s it! No complicated, involved message.  Just……BEGIN AGAIN.   Every day, sometimes every hour we have a chance to have a minute with our Lord, asking Him to walk with us and help us.  If and when we fail, the Lord’s mercy is there to forgive.  It can be just a moment of recognition that we need His help to leave the moment, the situation of anger, frustration, criticism –whatever it may be – and start over.

“Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy.”   [Levitius 19:1-2]

And what a perfect moment to BEGIN AGAIN as Lent starts this Wednesday.  We can become a people through God’s love and mercy who “gather together in the love of Christ” and see in each other that where there is love, there is God.

Reflection by Mary Keefe