Sanctity is tricky matter.
On the one hand, the summons to ‘be holy as YHWH is holy’ resounds from the earliest pages of Torah or ‘the five books of Moses’. Holiness is among the most condensed and potent ways of abbreviating the nature of the people whom YHWH has called into his confidence.
On the other hand, holiness morphs into pretense and hubris with astounding dexterity. It is not uncommon to discern in this or that person’s cynical glance backward upon the religion he once practiced the sunburnt assumption that it is indeed impossible to be holy. It is a ruse, a caricature, a manipulative tool that hangs from the hands of those who display the ghastliest absence of self-awareness.
Jesus might not have disagreed so strenuously with such a cynical outlook, though he would in time have nudged the conversation in the direction of true holiness. He might join the skeptic in his renunciation of off-putting sanctity while demonstrating through attentive eyes, a merciful touch, and a persistent and love-fueled loyalty that there is, after all, such a thing. (more…)
Canter Bridge 