LORD, MAKE ME A LIVING SANCTUARY FOR YOU
The readings of this Sunday challenges us to live a life of holiness. In the first reading Moses was told to speak to the people of God and tell them, “Be holy, for I the Lord, your God, am holy. In the second reading St. Paul challenged the Christians by telling them that they are the the temple of God, in which the Spirit of God dwells. In the gospel Jesus challenges his disciples by telling them to go the extra mile of being perfect. Perfect, means “Holy” Jesus tells them be holy just as your Heavenly Father is holy. Holiness of life is a requirement for true believers. Is it possible to live life of holiness in our world today? The grace of God helps us in our journey of holiness. Life of holiness is that hunger for righteousness. Though some people strive to live a holy life but I have never seen anyone who claimed to be holy. Holiness of life is a continuous journey that can only end in heaven. “Holy” means something dedicated or consecrated to God. God is holy and whatever is dedicated or consecrated to God draws their holiness from God. As people consecrated to God we are set apart to be holy. When we live a life of deep relationship with God we draw holiness from God. Holiness of life is an ongoing journey that depends on the love, grace and mercy of God. It is a lifestyle that depends totally on God. To Live holy life is to live a life that gives glory to God. Holiness of life involves living a life of good relationship with God and with human beings. Jesus tells us that the life we live should be different from those who do not believe in God. “If you love only those who love you what difference does it make.” Those who do not believe in God do the same. In the journey of life of holiness what matters are the little good things we do everyday. God does not want us to do extraordinary things as a sign of holiness. Though he may use some people to do extraordinary things. God expects us to do ordinary good deeds. The little good things we do with love are what counts. The little good things we do with a smile are what counts. The little good things we do with joy are what counts. The little good things we do with sincerity and transparency are what counts. The little good things we do with good moral integrity are what counts. The reading teaches us that life of holiness involves keeping our conscience clear and our hearts pure. Our hearts should be a sanctuary dedicated to God. Our hearts should not be a place to harbor grudges and hatred. Our hearts should not be a dwelling for evil but a temple that the Spirit of God dwells. Jesus teaches us in the gospel that life of holiness means going some extra miles for the sake of the kingdom of God. Such an extra mile may seem foolish and unreasonable to some people. It is always hard to turn the other cheek. It may seem unreasonable to love your enemy and pray for those who hurt you. Without the grace of God it is hard to attain this level of life. The actions we take for the sake of God may seems unreasonable but they are what counts in the journey of life of holiness. They may seems as weakness but they are strength. Christ though innocent was tortured and crucified. Christ has power to punish and destroy them but he offered no resistance and forgave those who tortured and crucified him. St. Paul tells us that the wisdom of the world is different from the wisdom of God. Jesus teaches us that what is needed in the journey of life of holiness is extra mile of love. Extra mile of forgiveness. Extra mile of kindness and generosity. Extra mile of patience and endurance. We pray that God will give us grace and wisdom to live everyday as temple dedicated to him.