“Speak to the whole assembly of the children
of Israel and tell them:Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.
“You shall not steal.
You shall not lie or speak falsely to one another.
You shall not swear falsely by my name,
thus profaning the name of your God.
I am the LORD.
The Decalogue,
as found in Exodus and Deuteronomy, invokes the
sovereign authority of Almighty God. It describes a God
who is loving, jealously protective of his people and strict. This law comes
with many promises of peace and prosperity; and, despite its demands, is not an
impossible imposition on the people. When the people obey this law they show their
wisdom and good sense and reflect an appropriate “Fear of the Lord.”
Leviticus refers
to the same legal tradition but it recalls the Holiness of God. The people’s
abstention from stealing, murder, adultery and bearing false witness shows their holiness.
It’s interesting
to note that, around the time this was written, Homer described the raids of Odysseus on vulnerable villages and towns by the Mediterranean Sea. The Greeks
saw nothing wrong with plundering and killing defenseless people. Thousands
of years later the Vikings would exercise similar moral restraint as they ravaged England, Ireland, Paris, Moscow and Byzantium. That behavior continues in the Ukraine, Syria and South Sudan today. If that is the way of the world, it is not the way of God’s Holy People.
Because of those restraints, the Jewish nation never could become
powerful. Their presence should be edifying and ennobling, but never
oppressive. Historically, we know, David’s kingdom enjoyed only a brief moment
of power when it could conquer neighbors and demand tribute. Throughout most of their
history and in most places where they have lived, Jews have been a minority; their witness of holiness made them a pariah people.
In this 21st
century many Christians find themselves living in a similar situation. We might not
be regarded as pariah but we are not the dominant cultural force we once were. (Witness the ignorance of Jeopardy contestants about the Bible!)
Sent to
represent God to our neighbors, family and friends, our holiness sometimes
resembles a halo; and sometimes, ashes daubed on our foreheads. Sometimes, especially to our style-conscious, class-conscious youth, it feels like a crown of thorns.
During this season of Lent, as our catechumens
prepare for Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation, we consider the duties
of holiness. We do not look
for advantages over others, we do not attempt to violate their dignity, freedom, intelligence, or space. We cannot
“bear hatred in our hearts for anyone;” and even when we must reprove someone we
do so without sin. We do to others not as they do to us but as we would have them do unto us.
This way of holiness is like nothing the world
comprehends, but they are fascinated. Recall their wonder when a suicide gunman murdered several Amish children. The sorely-afflicted Amish immediately embraced the killer's family and prayed with them for reconciliation and atonement.
As Christians we must be very proud of our co-religionists for their peaceful response. During Lent we do well to study their way of holiness.
As Christians we must be very proud of our co-religionists for their peaceful response. During Lent we do well to study their way of holiness.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.