At the beginning of this article, the author describes that his purpose is not to define holiness but to explain its meaning practically based on our day-to-day lives through how we cope with challenges and opportunities. His primary focus is to provide hope for those faced with difficulties and assure that we can still live a holy life amid faults and failings. The letter to the Hebrews provides testimonies of witnesses in the bible who were faced with challenges but ran with perseverance the race that was set before them (cf. 11:1-12:3). God is always pleased to save people and bestow their holiness through the holy spirit. Holiness can be seen in people around us, parents who struggle to raise their families, or our next-door neighbors who rush to our aid whenever there is a problem. The holy spirit’s presence helps Christ’s followers and those outside the catholic church. Everyone is called to be a witness of God’s grace and to always turn to him in every situation and not to be dismayed, for the power of the holy spirit enables us to do this (cf. Gal 5:22-23)
On the other hand, the author points out that we have to understand that false forms of holiness can lead us astray. The knowledge or information should not measure the holiness one possesses but by charity actions. Gnostics are people who have an excellent knowledge of the gospels and theories and judge others by their understanding of doctrines. They believe that their visions of reality are perfect. Being highly educated makes them feel superior and even exercise strict supervision over others’ lives. Saint Francis of Assisi was pleased to see his disciples teaching but encouraged them not to extinguish the spirit of prayer and devotion during teaching. It shows that having excellent knowledge is not bad. Instead, it should motivate us to lead our lives holily and respond more fully to God’s love. With time Gnosticism gave way to Pelagianism which can be seen in our present day, where people believe in their own will and trust in their powers. They forget that everything depends not on the human will but on God, who shows mercy (Rom 9:16)
According to the author, what constitutes holiness can be explained in many theories, but the best explanation comes from Jesus’ words through his teachings and truths. To be a good Christian, one must live the way Jesus taught us in the sermon on the mount (cf. Mt 5:3-12; Lk 6:20-23). Most people find security in earthly possessions. Jesus used the parable of the rich to describe a man who found security in his wealth and forgot that he could die any time (cf. Lk 12:16-21). Rich people feel satisfied in life and leave no room for their loved ones or God. Jesus said that blessed are the poor in spirit, for by being poor, there is room in our hearts for God to enter and manifest his holiness. Jesus teaches us to be meek, which can be demonstrated in his way of life with his disciples or in how he entered Jerusalem on a donkey. By living a simple life, accepting things as they indeed are, and sympathizing with others, we are capable of touching life’s depth and finding happiness.
The author highlights five great expressions of love for God and neighbors that he considers essential in light of the dangers and limitations present in today’s culture. He begins with perseverance, patience, and meekness, which is the strength to endure life’s ups and downs and constantly do good to even those who wrong us, for “if God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom 8:31). Secondly we should always be joyful and have a sense of humor for it radiates hope. We should always embrace God’s word and rejoice in the lord (Phil 4;4). Thirdly, we should evangelize God’s word with boldness and passion to those who do not believe. We serve others with courage that the holy spirit has bestowed upon us, just like the apostles were not afraid to proclaim Jesus. Fourthly We should grow in holiness in a community side by side with others, for living a life in seclusion can make us lose a sense of reality and inner clarity. Sharing the word and celebrating together fosters fraternity and makes us a religious community. Finally, we should constantly pray with God and speak to him amid our concerns and commitments.
In the final chapter, the author reminds us that we are not just battling against the world but also against the presence of evil. Jesus celebrated when his disciples overcame the opposing evil by preaching the gospel (Lk 10:18). The devil should not be considered a myth as this would lead us to be careless and let our guard down. Through God’s word, we should stand against the forces of evil. The author also points out that we should learn to distinguish between what comes from the holy spirit and what does not. We can do this by asking the holy spirit for this gift, seeking reflection through prayer, and reading the gospel.
I have found a couple of ideas in this article resonating with my day-to-day life, and to begin with, the author speaks about maintaining holiness even when faced with challenges. I find this idea encouraging because, throughout my life, I am constantly faced challenges that lead me to the edge of giving up. However, reflecting on the examples, I understand that living a holy life does not precisely mean always living a perfect life, constantly reading the bible, and engaging in prayer. Secondly, the author reminds us of Jesus’ parable of the rich. Reflecting upon this, I find it very encouraging and inspiring because, in life, I have found myself constantly seeking earthly possessions. The parable of the rich fool has reminded me that what matters is not how wealthy I am but how happy I am in God’s grace. Finally, I have realized that today, many false preachers use the word of God to extort people for money. The final chapter of this article has reminded me that by confidently seeking the guidance of the holy spirit, I can learn to distinguish between real preachers and fake ones.
To summarize, this article speaks more about living a holy life in our way, and I have learned that it is possible to integrate holiness into my way of life. For instance, whenever I face challenges, I will always turn to God and pray for the power of the holy spirit to give me guidance and reassurance. Secondly, in case I come across anyone who needs my assistance, I will gladly be willing to help them. Thirdly, I will not be afraid to speak God’s word and evangelize to others. I will always speak against the oppression of the poor or the underprivileged. Finally, I will seek to live a simple life of happiness and accept things as they come.
References
Francis, P. (2018). Gaudete Et Exsultate: On the Call to Holiness in Today’s World. Our Sunday Visitor.
write