Last night I went a pastoral area R.C.I.A. meeting and the topic was about the Universal Call to Holiness. First, we discussed what we this Holy means. Someone mentioned the Holy of Holies in the old temple and that got me thinking about how something Holy like that is set aside or seperate from everything else. For a specific purpose related to Gods work or ways. Next we had to think about us being Holy as temples of Gods spirit. I always think about the lamp metaphor when thinking of myself as a temple is which God lives. Now I'm just thinking about how if I am Holy (or trying to be) does that mean that I too, am seperate, set apart for a specific purpose that is related to God?
Then we talked about this coming Sundays gospel reading which is from Matthew 5:38-48;
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Sort of ties in nicely with what we were discussing before, I think Jesus is calling us to a higher state. To be perfect like his (and our) Father in Heaven.
