We're less than perfect, more than flesh and bone.

daily readings Feb. 9th, 2011 (I guess I'm a day behind!)

Genesis 2:4-9, 15-17

Psalm 104:1-2, 27-30

Mark 7:14-23

Starting with the first reading...

"the LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground
and blew into his nostrils the breath of life,
and so man became a living being."

SO beautiful. At the very beginning of our existence, God breathes into us. He breathes into us His spirit, His life, His holiness. We are not simply flesh and bone, but contain within us the very breath of God! The Holy Spirit dwells within us, raising us above the rest of creation. God does not breathe into plants, he does not breathe into any sort of animal - only into humans. We are set apart.

We must first recognize our own holiness, and act in a way that reflects that - both inwardly and outwardly. We must treat ourselves in a manner worthy of our creation, and must live our lives in a way that reflects God's spirit within us. Not a task to take lightly. When you recognize yourself as set apart, you reflect on what goes into your body, and what you do to uphold your dignity. BUT - like Jesus declares in the Gospel, it is not just what goes into our bodies that have the opportunity to defile us, but what comes from within.

Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;
but the things that come out from within are what defile.

We must be on guard against what comes from within us as well.

From within the man, from his heart,
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.

These things that come from within DO NOT reflect the holiness of God that has been breathed into us. We must not allow these tendencies to overpower our holiness. Be on guard! Do not let sin win over your heart. Seek God, seek goodness - call upon the Holy Spirit to help you to live a life of dignity and holiness!

You have to start with yourself. You can do nothing to help others if you yourself are not on track with God. You can try, and it might work at first, but you'll burn out. You need to be sustained by an inner holiness and peace only possible with God. THEN you can work for the dignity of others! You cannot give what you do not have.

That being said, once you are striving to live up to the dignity and holiness of your own creation, you have a responsibility to help others live up to theirs! We live in a negative and parasitic world. The evils of our society can and will bring us down - if we allow them to. That's why are created to live in community and help our brothers and sisters in Christ. Bring others to the Father. Help others to recognize how wonderfully they were made and loved into existence by the Father. Love those around you.

Just as you were set apart at your creation - so was your neighbor. Uphold their dignity, and you are more fully upholding your own.

Praise God for His creation. And praise God for loving humanity so immensely.