Holy I

 . . . purify our conscience . . . 

 - From Hebrews 9

It's called "Holy Week." But what makes it holy? What makes anything holy?

We've been told that the definition of "Holy" is "set apart," or special . . . different . . . on a higher plane.

God is Holy. Jesus Christ is Holy. Some people in history have been called "Holy." But really, what evidence do we have, that any human has even been holy? Jesus, though holy, or sinless, still died. And the reason we die, is because we are, in fact, not holy. We are corrupt and corruptible. God forbid we should live forever in this state. Let us become holy.

At the very least, we can reflect, this week, on how our unholiness has precisely made us human, which in turn has made the historic events of this week essential. Do you want to live forever? Be holy. It's the only way.

Outside a few religious or spiritual circles, the world "holy" is not all that popular today. It's dated, uncool. It smacks of judgmentalism, even hypocrisy.

The writer of Hebrews says that Christ's death and resurrection would make us pure. And not just our behavior, but our conscience, our thoughts!!

Wouldn't you like to have pure thoughts? What if you never felt malice for someone, ever again? What if you thought about others only, and rarely about yourself? How about being able to say exactly what needs to be said, and withholding comments that would not help?

Purity goes way beyond that, though. You would be able to tame any selfish impulse that came to mind. You could actually control yourself. You would be able to refrain from any action that could harm the body, mind, or spirit of another person. You would avoid thoughts, and behaviors, that might prove unhealthy, or unwise.

But doesn't that mean we would be able to say "no" to all those little things we love to do, when we're caught up in the moment?

Indeed, it does. And even if nine times out of ten, your yielding to impulsive words and actions actually causes no harm at all, you would still have that one of ten, where you meant well, but somebody got hurt anyway. And it was because of you.

Purity isn't easy. And it's certainly not popular.

But it's what keeps us alive through eternity. And it's what allows us to relax and actually enjoy every special moment that comes along. Without regret.

Purity is a big deal. Let's have pure thoughts.