Be Holy

   “For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt, to be your God; you shall be holy, for I am holy.” (Leviticus 11: 45)

   We are meant to be holy.  Just as God brought the Israelites through the waters of the Red Sea to free them from the slavery of Egypt, He brings us through the waters of Baptism to free us from the slavery of sin.  As He chose them to be His people He also chooses us as His people.  If we will allow, He will make us holy.

   Some think holiness can be obtained through their own desire and actions.  They think that if they give to the church it will make them holy; if they donate to a food bank their holiness is increased.  Some think that simply going to Mass and receiving the Sacraments on a regular basis will make them holy.  The truth is none of these will make us holy.  They are wonderful things to do and certainly may be indications of holiness, but they cannot make a person holy.

   The things that we might do to make us holy are many times a sign of our own pride.  We point to what we have done and feel satisfied that only a holy person would do such things.  But holiness is not of earth but of Heaven.  Only God can make us holy, only He can truly make us His people.  It is only by His grace that we may become holy.

   How, then, can we become holy?  We must reject self and give ourselves over to God.  We must forget our own wants and desires and desire only His will.  Our Blessed Mother taught us how to become holy when she said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1: 38).  Seek only the Lord and He will make you holy.

Lord, I want to be holy.

I want to be Your child.

I offer all to You.

I beg of You, make me holy.

Amen