BE   HOLY,

BUT  BE SPECIFIC

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this Monday in the First Week of Lent  is, “Be Holy, But Be Specific.”

In the first paragraph of today’s first reading, the Lord says to Moses. “Speak to the whole assembly of the children of Israel and tell them, “Be Holy, for  I the Lord your God, am holy.” [Cf. Leviticus 19: 1-2, 11-18.]

HIGH SCHOOL - KAIROS RETREATS

In our high school Kairos Retreats there is a talk on holiness. One of the kids gives the talk and I’ve heard 35 of those talks.  Then there is a group discussion on holiness and the small groups are asked, to name someone whom they think is holy.

Names are named.  Grandparents, teachers, priests, Mother Teresa, the Pope, are mentioned.

Once, I even made someone’s list. Surprise. If they only knew. Remember what the radio show - that was before TV, “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?  The Shadow knows.”

The Catholic Church has specific people who have been officially or traditionally named as holy, named as saints: Augustine, Francis, Thomas, Peter, Paul, Mother Elizabeth Seton, Mary, Monica - often names the kids heard about in confirmation preparation.  Some names come from their confirmation when they have to come up with a name of a saint as a patron.

TODAY’S READINGS

The title of my homily is, “Be Holy, But Be Specific.”

Today’s readings give specifics.

The first reading from the Book of Leviticus  give lots of specifics.  “Don’t steal. Don’t speak falsely. Don’t use God’s name in profanity. Don’t defraud. Don’t hold worker’s wages. Don’t curse the deaf. Don’t put stumbling blocks in front of the blind - as a joke. Don’t be dishonest in making judgments, Don’t judge. Don’t spread slander Don’t stand there silently when someone’s life is at stake. Don’t hate your brother, No revenge. No cherishing grudges. Then comes the Golden Rule:  Love your neighbor as yourself.

How’s that for specifics.

Then the gospel from Matthew 25: 31-46: gives some very specific things to do: Feed the hungry. Give the thirsty something to drink. Visit the sick. Visit those in prison. Welcome the stranger.

Now those are very specific.

CONCLUSION

So a message for today: Be Holy, But Be Specific.

Do specifics.

Do the do’s!

Don’t do the don’ts.