You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart.
Though you may have to reprove him,
do not incur sin because of him.
Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
I am the LORD."
Levites were the tribe of landless priests; their mission was to serve the Lord in their poverty and rely on the generosity of those Israelite tribes who had received allotments of the Promised Land. Their code, the Book of Leviticus, insists that we are God's holy people, and that our manner of life, all our thoughts, words, and deeds, and our presence should manifest God's holiness. We should be just and merciful, as the LORD is just and merciful.
As we read the scriptures there is never any doubt about God's authority to judge. He has delivered us from ignominy in Egypt; and, more recently, from the humiliation of our sins. But the LORD has every right to abandon us to abasement again if we fail to be holy as he is holy.
We are no longer to think, act, or appear like our neighbors. Our manner and our presence should reflect God's merciful presence wherever we go, for there is no place where God is not present. Whether we are working, resting, or playing; whether we're alone or in company: we are God's holy people.
If we fail, our non-elect neighbors who make no pretense of religion or faith, may remind us of our duties. "Aren't you supposed to be a Christian? A Catholic? A priest? Why do you act like that?" Often they will tell us how we should act. We might disagree about some particulars but the reminder remains: "Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy."
Our ancestors, the Jews, have been reminded of their holiness in the most horrific ways, even to the third and fourth generation. Many European Jews had intentionally disavowed their Jewish religion and heritage but the Nazis would not let them forget God's favor. His eternal election proves itself in the antisemitism that never goes away.
Like the Jews, we are blessed nolens volens, whether we like it or not. We can no more dismiss God's choice than a tiger can change its stripes or an oldest son deny his seniority. Lent reminds us of that.
And so we turn to the scriptures again to understand our blessings and the duties that come with them. "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." This is a command and a truism, for by loving the neighbor we respect ourselves. And bearing resentments, hostility, or contempt toward a neighbor demeans us.
Being holy is being human as Jesus has shown us. And now that we have taken up our crosses and followed him, it's not so difficult.
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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.