Monday, March 7, 2022
Holiness
An excerpt from Leviticus 19:2 (NRSV)
You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.
Reflection from Betty Wooddy,
St. Lawrence Episcopal Church:
In my younger years I understood “be holy” as a command for individual personal growth toward a goal of “holiness” which could only be achieved with much personal effort and sacrifice. In my senior years I understand this verse as a declaration of possibility. The holy spirit within brings wisdom and love which allow me to extend love toward my neighbor and myself. I do not fully understand how a beautiful flower grows from a rough bulb, but I value the beauty. In like manner I do not completely understand how holiness grows in humans. However I know people whose lives are holy, and they inspire me. Daily I am offered opportunities to grow in holiness. My choices affect the character of my life. God promises to complete the work and I choose to trust that promise.
Photograph by Betty Wooddy
For further study and prayer, the readings assigned for today are:
Psalm 17; 1 Chronicles 21:1-17; 1 John 2:1-61 John 2:1-6
Music
Beatitudes: No. 6. “The Pure in Heart,”
by Patrick Hawes,
performed by The Elora Singers
Blessed are the pure in heart
for they shall see God.