Bible
Study: 1 Peter 1, 10 to 16 and Mark 10, 28 to 31.
The word
holiness simply means “set apart” or “different.” To be holy is to understand that
I do not define myself according to the standards of the world and I do not
depend on others for my self-esteem. To be holy means I do not operate
according to the world’s definition of success. It means I have Jesus Christ
himself as my role model and my biggest dream is to be in heaven.
Holiness
does not mean having to fold your hands and close your eyes while walking down
the street. Holiness is not having to give others the impression that you just
dropped down from heaven when in fact, you do the very opposite when no one is
watching you.
Today, St.
Peter admonishes us to be holy in these words: “As obedient Children, do not be
conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is
holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct…” What does it mean to be
conformed to the passions of your former ignorance? It means living as though
you are yet to receive the Holy Spirit; as if your body is not a temple that houses
God.
Whether we
like it or not, it is not easy to be holy. It is not easy to be different. As humans
we are social animals, we like to do what others are doing and our definition
of right and wrong is always in proportion to what we consider popular. We believe
if everybody is doing it, then it must be good for us as well.
Hence, to
be holy, there has to be a level of detachment from the world. We just have to
break ties with people and sometimes, even our family members. We just have to
leave them so that they do not become obstacles in our way to serving God with
all our hearts. This is what Jesus is talking about in the Gospel passage. If for
instance, our riches and material possessions are the obstacles, we must sell
them off and give them to the poor so that we can completely follow Jesus.
Yesterday,
we saw how the rich young man walked away from Jesus sorrowful. He lacked
detachment. He defined his life according to his wealth and couldn’t afford to
let go in other to grow in his spirituality by being a disciple of Jesus. We
must be prepared to leave father and mother, houses and cars, children and
lands, positions and titles for the sake of following Jesus wholeheartedly.
The reward
for holiness is eternal life. However as Jesus says, many who are first will be
last and the last first. The journey to heaven is not like Olympic race, it is
not by who started first, neither is it according to who runs faster. Everyone has
his or her own unique calling. Don’t imitate anyone. Serve God and be
different.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, may I learn to
look up to you and not the world for self-affirmation. Help me to be different
and to put you first in all I do. Amen.
Good morning.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you.
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