First Reading: Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18
Reflection:
The teachings in this first reading apply just as much to us today as Christians as they did in the time of Moses to the Israelites. The call to “be holy” is a call to sainthood. A saint is someone whose life is completely ordered toward God. Becoming holy is a process that is only possible by God’s grace. Every one of us is called to be a saint (known as “the universal call to holiness”) and given by God the means to attain that goal. Our part is to cooperate with God’s grace and let Him transform us. An essential part of living a holy life is to “love your neighbor as yourself.” In fact, Jesus called this the second greatest commandment, with loving God being first. Love of God and love of neighbor, made possible by God’s grace, are the “how to” of becoming holy. If we focus on those two greatest commandments, there will be no room for sin in our lives, such as “hatred for your brother or your sister in your heart,” etc.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:16-23
Reflection:
The theme of holiness continues in this reading with Paul’s teaching that Christians are “the temple of God.” The Jewish Temple in Jerusalem was where the presence of God dwelt among His people. It was, therefore, considered holy because God is holy. With the coming of Christ, there was no longer a need for the Temple building in Jerusalem and, in fact, it was destroyed in A.D. 70 by the Romans. Still, Paul teaches that Christians function as the new Temple of God because the Holy Spirit dwells within them. The Church then, which is the Body of Christ, is the new Temple where God is in the midst of His people. This is why we proclaim in the Nicene Creed that the Church is “holy.” It is not holy because all of its members are perfect but because it is the sanctuary within which God, who is holy, dwells, and the Church belongs to Christ, as Paul says.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:38-48
Reflection:
In this Gospel reading from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus articulates that the second greatest commandment is to “love your neighbor,” and then He takes it a step further by calling us to even love our enemies. The famous saying “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” leads to a mentality of vengeance (e.g. “You did something to hurt me, so I’m going to hurt you back”). Jesus offers a different path–one of self-sacrificial giving. Christians are called to “turn the other cheek” and “go the extra mile.” This call is one of radical love for all people, whether they return that love or not. Jesus’ message, simply put, is that love is not selfish. Love for neighbor should never depend on what we can get out of it. In fact, love is defined as actively working for the good of another for their sake. In other words, love is doing what is best for another person with no strings attached. Thus, as Christians, we should even love our enemies, including those who persecute us for our faith. In fact, we should pray for them! Our love for all people is based on God’s love for all. We are to be beacons of God’s love in the world. With the help of God’s grace, this radical life of self-giving love is the means by which we can obey Christ’s command to “be perfect (i.e. holy) just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Thus, love is the essential ingredient to sainthood.
Application:
- Think about the people in your life you would consider “enemies.” Take time this week to pray for them and ask God to help you forgive them. If possible, go out of your way to show an act of kindness toward them and seek reconciliation.
- Reflect on God’s call for us all to be holy (i.e. to be a saint). Is that something you truly desire for yourself and others around you? If not, ask God to place a desire in your heart for sainthood and to help you say ‘yes’ to that calling. What practical steps can you take this week to cooperate with God’s grace and grow in holiness?
