“The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them: Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.” (Leviticus 19:1-2)

The major theme for this 7^th Sunday in Ordinary Time focuses on the foundation of our Judeo-Christian morality, namely, the holiness of our loving, merciful, and compassionate God, who expects us, His chosen people, to be like Him, embodying His holiness, love, mercy, and forgiveness. The sentence: “Be holy, for I, the LORD your God, am holy” in Leviticus 19:2 correlates with Christ’s command: “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” in Matthew 5:48, because the word “holy” in the Bible equates “perfect,” that both words describe the quality of God.

Christ teaches us that for us to be “holy” or “perfect” like God, we must extend or include our love to our enemies. He said: “Love your enemies” in Matthew 5:44. This command is one of the most important verses in the entire New Testament. It matches well with King Solomon’s instruction that one should feed one's enemy if that person is hungry, in Proverbs 25:21.

Early church thinkers saw Jesus’ instruction as one of His most important teachings. Even though, the exact wording does not appear in prior Jewish texts, there are examples of previous thinkers sharing Jesus' sentiments. Therefore, our calling to be like God always “holy” and “perfect” is our lifelong Christian duty and discipleship that Christ Jesus wants us to practice, thus become like God.  

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to be holy and perfect like God, including to love our enemies, especially in Ordinary Time, to imitate and follow our savior Jesus Christ, to repent our sins, to exercise our Christian stewardship, to use our time, treasure, and talents to love God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves, participating in the works of mercy, to accomplish God’s will in our lives to glorify God. 

How can we genuinely be “holy” and “perfect” like God and Jesus Christ, loving, forgiving, and praying for our offenders who willfully cause us hardship and suffering? 

Wishing you a very happy and blessed week in the Lord.