The doctrine of holiness is not one that is easily agreed upon by the Church at large. In fact, it has a tendency to divide the body mostly over the definition of terms. Or rather, people’s definition and interpretation of holiness causes them to be divisive as they draw a line in the sand that only those who conform may cross. Holiness itself may not be mentioned but its symptoms are those very issues that divide as legalism rules. Holiness, or the pursuit of, has been described in so many ways, from striving to be perfect in every action to extreme penance in total commitment and devotion. It seems that we want so badly to attain this level of “rightness” before God and others but we only know how to perform in our own context. We know how to follow rules, how to talk the talk and walk the walk, but as we portray the silver lining, our hearts remain unchanged. The fact is, holiness is not easy to attain and perhaps it is not for us to “attain” but to receive and embody.
Thomas Merton says “love is our name, our nature, our essence.” Holiness is something we can be restored to because it is this very nature of God, love, in which He created us. We are restored through the work of Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Holiness, as love in relation to God and others (and also ourselves), will begin to show the symptoms that many spend their time striving for (such as commitment, purity of heart, perfection, and being set apart) as we practice this love. The difference between s/he who exhausts all energy in such pursuit and s/he who undeservedly, yet humbly, seeks and receives the nature of God, that is love, is the awareness of their own personal holiness before God. Perhaps true holiness will go undetected by the possessor but will be made evident to others as this life is compelled by love to God and others and is made perfect in practice. The first practice on this journey toward holiness is to recognize and know deeply that we, ourselves, are very loved by God.
Holiness is attainable then, as the expression of love is practiced in relationships. The triune God demonstrates this communal loving relationship and invites us to be a part of it. The Church, the Body of Christ, is our community and opportunity to practice this dynamic loving relationship, though at times it will be messy.
That is a very good word. I don't think holiness is ours to attain. Attaining something means becoming a master of it and, in a sense, moving on from it to something greater. I don't know if there is anything greater (or more challenging) than living holiness, and I raise my eyebrow to someone claiming to have attained it. I think this also means that we have to be so careful in our language, not to confuse anybody.
ReplyDeleteI love your entire last paragraph. It makes me think of the sheep and the goats. We can only understand love when we know how to receive that love put forth by God...and then we cannot help but live within that paradigm. May we be so lost in the love of Christ that we know not when we have fed, clothed, or cared for Him.
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