Juliano Ravanello sings, ‘Sanctus’. As you listen, take a moment to reflect on the holiness of God.

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus

Dominus Deus Sabaoth.

Pleni sunt cæli et terra gloria tua.

Hosanna in excelsis.

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.

Hosanna in excelsis.

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Today’s reading is from the Book of Leviticus.

Lev 19:1-2;11-18

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another. And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the Lord.

You shall not defraud your neighbour; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a labourer until morning. You shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling-block before the blind; you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.

You shall not render an unjust judgement; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbour.You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbour: I am the Lord.

You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbour, or you will incur guilt yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord.

The Lord said to Moses, you shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

Perhaps we imagine that it is only God who is the holy one?

So, what might it mean to you, this call to be holy?

Our reading today might come across as a bit of a list of ‘shalls’ and ‘shall nots’, instructing us on how to become holy. We hear that we are to honour God’s name, be honest in our dealings, to practice social justice and to act with love and integrity in our relationships.

Are you aware of anything in these areas which is absent for you or where you feel nudged to do a little more? Perhaps an attitude, or lack of love for God or others? Or perhaps a behaviour pattern that is difficult to change. How might this be affecting your ability to abide in holiness?

As you listen to the reading again, ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate some words or a phrase especially for you.

Be open to a sense of stirring or of challenge as you listen.

Four times in our reading, we hear God say to Moses, ‘I am the Lord.’

Take a moment to hear these words as if spoken to you; try repeating them in your mind four times.

Invite this holy Lord to be present with you now… just sitting together for a while.

What would like to say to the Lord as you end your prayer?

You have given all to me,

To You, Lord, I return it.

Everything is Yours,

Do with it what you will.

Give me only Your love and Your grace.

That is enough for me.

Amen.