Sunday Reflection (October 29, 2023)

The concept of “holiness” in Leviticus is not about a solitary holy man or holy woman practicing an esoteric version of holiness that few achieve. Rather, it was about practicing holiness in community with others. When Jesus was questioned about the Greatest Commandment, he spliced two commands from the Torah. The first from Deuteronomy: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind,” and the second from Leviticus: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Holiness is not about being spiritually superior, rather it is about loving God and neighbor. Lest we think it only about our neighbors, Leviticus reminds us that such love even expands to immigrants (19:33-34). Our holiness is revealed in our dealings with and treatment of others. Holiness is found and practiced in relationships with others.