Holy Things for Holy People

HOLY THINGS FOR HOLY PEOPLE I have a friend who was raised in a Christian tradition very much different from Orthodoxy. He was raised in a Holiness Pentecostal group in the urban South. For these precious people, the word “holy” had a specific meaning and manifestation. In his Holiness background men and women wore no jewelry. The women didn’t cut their hair, wore no make up, and the men kept their hair cut short and had no beards or mustaches. These folks didn’t go to the movies and some of them even got rid of their televisions (maybe not such a bad idea nowadays). In other words, “holy” meant external behavior. But is that what “holiness” is? Well, certainly to be holy means that my behavior, my choices, and my actions reflect my love for Jesus, but to be holy begins not with my behavior but with my heart. The word “holy” in the scriptures means “set apart for a specific use.” It referred to the utensils used in the Tabernacle and the Temple of Jewish worship. These objects were only used for one purpose and one purpose only – the worship of God. The cup used in the Temple for the drink offerings were used for that purpose alone. These cups weren’t then put back in the cupboard to be used at dinner that evening or for any other meal. There were furnishings in the Temple that weren’t used anywhere else – in fact, you could die if you desecrated these holy things by common use. There were actions, and words exclusively for the Temple worship. So, these utensils, these furnishings were called “holy.” Now, these utensils were not expected to do anything themselves. They didn’t have to behave in a certain way, and they didn’t have any ethical behavior problems, but they were called “holy” nonetheless. What can we learn about being “holy” from this lesson? First, true holiness begins with knowing the Truth about me. The saints of God we remember all through the year are called “holy ones.” They came to see themselves as created exclusively for God and His kingdom. St. Paul begins his letter to the Corinthians this way: “To the church of God in Corinth , to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ [their Lord and ours]: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Corinthians 1:2-3) The truth about me is that, along with all who are Christian, I am called to be holy. I am called to aspire to a holy life. And that life is “holy” if I come to see myself as called to belong exclusively to Jesus Christ. I am called to live my life as one dedicated to God. My life is His because His Son “purchased” my salvation in His death, burial and resurrection. (see Galatians 2:20) Second, true holiness displays an inward truth in outward action. As Orthodox Christians we believe that an inward act of belief is completed and actualized by an inseparable outward, visible act of confirmation. We are baptized in water to display an inward reality. We eat bread and drink wine at the Eucharist to display for all to see the intimate communion we share with Christ and His Church. Our inward beliefs always find a physical manifestation because we humans are both physical and spiritual creatures. Both must exist for true faith to be authentic. We reject the notion that one can say one thing and do another. So that means that since we are called to be “holy ones” or “saints,” our “holy” lives reflect that very holiness in how we act and what we say, and where we go. Finally, true holiness is displayed by our selfless love of others. The wisdom of the Church teaches that we are called to notice only our own sins and not judge our brothers. In fact, St. Paul calls himself the “chief of sinners” (I Timothy 1:15 ). Jesus teaches us to remove the log form our own eye before we attempt to remove the splinter from our brother’s eye. It is in seeing myself set apart only for God that sets me free to avoid judging my brothers and sisters all around me. As I focus on my own “holiness,” I am called to love others and allow the Holy Spirit to work the life-changing grace of God into my own life to redeem my behavior and give me the grace to serve those around me.