Listen

[Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father …”]

“They don’t belong to this world, just as I don’t belong to this world. Make them holy in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. I made myself holy on their behalf so that they also would be made holy in the truth.”

John 17:16-19

Think

When I was little, I had a pretty clear idea of what it meant to be “holy.” Mostly, holiness meant behaving the way I was supposed to behave in church: being quiet and sitting very still. The more bored I felt, the holier I was.

Now, I think about holiness very differently. Going to church is part of being holy, but it’s only one part of a much larger story. True holiness means trying to live a life in relationship with God. You have hundreds of fresh chances to be holy in the small choices you make every day. Whenever you say a prayer (including “Help!” and “Thanks!”), try to treat another person with kindness, or turn your thoughts toward God instead of yourself, you are living a holy life.

Still, this kind of everyday holiness is hard. This is why Jesus made himself holy for us first. Through his holiness and his love for us, we can become holy too — even if our thoughts wander in church.

Catherine Healy

Pray

Loving God, I want to be made holy in the truth. Help me to live a holy life that is centered on you and your will, through the power of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Go

Jesus promises to pray for all of us. How is he praying for you right now?