A quote from Jack Bernard's, How To Become A Saint.
“Instead of the unholy defiling what is holy, as the ancient Hebrew priestly rules insisted, holiness has come from God with the power to make holy those who were unholy. It is not just coincidence that Jesus eats and drinks with the sinners…
“Even though Jesus isn’t concerned that he will contaminate himself with sinners, the basic concept of holiness as set apart for God is not altered. A basic shift in the understanding of holiness happens here, and yet holiness is not turned inside out. Jesus is going for the heart of the matter. He himself is set aside for the Father’s use and never defiles himself by turning from the Father’s will to other purposes. He is holy, not because he has come down from heaven, or behaved perfectly morally, but because as a human being he is not divided toward God. He trusts the Father absolutely; his only purpose is to do the Father’s will. He is not divided by holding onto any other agenda— not personal advancement, comfort, or even self-preservation. Avoidance of committing sins is a natural consequence of holiness, but it is not the core. Undivided trust in God and the resulting dedication to his will is the essence of holiness.”
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