Question of the day - holiness

Do you know anyone you consider to be holy? 

Do you aspire to be holy yourself?

Do you aspire to be holy?

Having moved from being Roman Catholic to Unitarian Universalist, it seems that the word "holy" is not used as much, if at all in UU. The RCs have their saints that they revere as being holy and the holiness of the saints is to be emulated. In UU, the sacred, the reverential awe for people who embody the holy seems downplayed or even nonexistent.

Whatever happened to the adjective "holy"? We don't use it anymore. I can't remember when anyone used it in a reverential way. It gets used in a mocking way as part of vulgar exclamations such as "holy smokes," or "holy shit," but we rarely refer anymore to "holy matrimony," "holy orders," or a person as aspiring to be or as being "holy."

It would be helpful if we brought the word back and used it more in our daily conversations. If asked, "do you know anyone you would describe as holy" what would you say?

Holy means dedicated to God, consecrated to the divine, aspiring to be one with God. Knowing someone holy, and aspiring to be holy yourself can change your life. Aspiring to be holy means you have chosen the path of the spirit instead of the path of the ego. In making this choice to walk the path of the spirit and aspiring to be holy changes your life. Other people may or may not notice the holiness which surrounds you, but you know it because it fills you with peace and joy even in distressful circumstances when other people are agitated.

Holiness draws people together. People are attracted to it like bees to a flower. People become aware of the fragrance especially if they are on the path of the spirit and not the ego themselves.

It might be assumed that if you are reading this, you have embarked on the path of the spirit and are aspiring to be holy, dedicating yourself to the path of the spirit even if you haven't thought about your choice in these terms. Holiness attracts and takes delight in holiness. Holiness is aspired to for no rewards other than its own. It seeks and takes comfort in its Oneness with God. The litmus test for holiness is the desire to do God's will. Discerning God's will is the primary concern of a holy person.

Let's bring the word back. When you experience holiness acknowledge it and share it. When you see it in others take comfort, admire it, and seek to emulate the holiness you see.

Prophetic Voices and Events - Christine Hanna at YES! magazine

"At YES! we believe that the forward-looking work of building a just, sustainable, compassionate communities can only happen when we look honestly at ourselves and our history." 

Christine Hanna, Executive Director

Check YES! out here and subscribe if you like what you see.

In case you were wondering..............

Spiritual practice of the day #22 - Remember your Higher Power 5 times a day for 10 seconds

We mistake business for worthiness. Nothing could be further from the truth. God says in Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God." Five times a day, stop for 10 seconds, pause, breath deeply, and remember your Higher Power.

Question of the day

To what extent do you agree with President Trump that the United States does not want people to immigrate here from shithole countries?

UUAWOL Weekly report 01/14/18 - 01/20/18

Weekly report from UUAWOL 01/14/18 - 01/20/18

Stats

1.    During the week of 01/14/18 - 01/20/18  UUAWOL received 1579 views up 115 from the previous week.

2.    The heaviest viewing day was Sunday, 01/14/18, with 389 views.

3.    The average number of views per day was 226 while the average number of views the preceding week was 209.

Highlights

1.    There was a focus on the meaning of unconditional love.

2.    It is not clear whether the questions of the day are helpful to people in examining their lives and reflecting. More feedback would be helpful.

3.    In case you were wondering continues to be popular for comedic relief.

Plans - Short term

1.    Continue to develop a common vocabulary

2.    Continue to develop a map for the spiritual journey describing milestones along the path.

3.    Review and make adjustments to the question of the day feature.

4.    Continue to solicit feedback via comments on the blog via a survey.

Plans - long term

1.    Build a model of UU theology

2.    Create a dictionary of UU terms

3.    Develop a compendium of possible practices to enhance the spiritual life

4.    Further develop an articulation of the values that comprise a good life.

Editor's note:

1. UUAWOL would welcome your help in two ways. 

First, in providing feedback about the articles and the blog as a whole by commenting on articles are sending criticism directly to davidgmarkham@gmail.com.

Secondly by sharing articles on your social media and emailing articles to people whom you think might be interested.

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