If you do a Goggle search you will find "Holiness is the state of being holy or sacred. Holiness may also refer to: Holiness movement, a specific tradition within evangelicalism. His Holiness, an official style of address in reference to the leaders of several religious groups". So what does it mean to be "Holy"? According to Dictionary.com holy is defined as: (1) specially recognized as or declared sacred by religious use or authority; consecrated; (2) dedicated or devoted to the service of God, the church, or religion; (3) saintly, godly, pious, devout; (4) having a spiritually pure quality; (5) entitled to worship or veneration as or as if sacred; (6) religious; and (7) inspiring fear or awe. Reading this many - perhaps all - may make a claim to being holy. Remembering that each of us was created by God - with the cooperation of our parents - and that all that God creates is good - that we are all children of God - makes us holy. Most of us live out our lives in some form or manner of holiness - each to their own level according to their circumstances. Not all live holy lives - unfortunately - for they have made wrong decisions - drawing them to the "dark side of the force". Those who live holy lives share in the light of Christ - the "light or bright side of the force". How brightly our lives shine is a direct reflection on our level of holiness. It is up to us - as individuals - to recognize how bright or dim our light shines. Spending all day on knees - bent in prayer - does not guarantee that our life shines brighter than one who prays little. Rather our individual brightness is more than prayer - more than donations - more than being busy about things. The brightness - the holiness - that we radiate is a direct reflection of how well Jesus lives in our thoughts and actions. How we live our lives is what we need to reflect on during Lent. We need to ask (1) does our light shine? (2) how well does my life - actions - reactions - reflect the love of God?
Jesus came for all but all did not accept Him - many rejected Him - chose the "dark side". In baptism you were filled with the Holy Spirit - In confirmation - the Holy Spirit was again poured freshly into your life - in Holy Eucharist - Jesus comes to you in the form of His Blessed Body and Blood to again give you His Holy Spirit. Daily God rains His love upon you - to guide you - to help you - to keep you on the correct path - to holiness.
Deacon Dale
Jesus came for all but all did not accept Him - many rejected Him - chose the "dark side". In baptism you were filled with the Holy Spirit - In confirmation - the Holy Spirit was again poured freshly into your life - in Holy Eucharist - Jesus comes to you in the form of His Blessed Body and Blood to again give you His Holy Spirit. Daily God rains His love upon you - to guide you - to help you - to keep you on the correct path - to holiness.
Deacon Dale
