You are Holy . . .

 

You are Holy: 

                                                          

The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 2026 

January 18, 2026

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Isaiah 43:3-6; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-34

 

One theme that passes through these readings point is holiness. In Isaiah, Israel is called to be a nation apart from others, set as a light to the nations, because of their right relations with the one God. In Corinthians, Paul and Sosthenes address the people of the city who are called to be holy. In the Gospel, John the Baptist notices Jesus walking towards him and declares his holiness with these words, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Jesus is set apart for a divine mission and John recognizes him as the Son of God.

 

Through baptism, we are called to be holy, a people set apart because our faith in God demands our right response in gratitude. In our liturgy, we constantly ask God to make us holy, and we cry out in the heavenly liturgy, “Holy, holy, holy.” What is holiness? Perhaps some of you think of it as moral perfection and purity. Why? Because that is what we learned in our youth, but we are maturing individuals. We also have read books about the saints that wrote about their devotion or their all-encompassing commitment to God. We think the saints are holy and we must strive to be like them.

 

Let me ask you: Are you holy? Of course you are. Why would you think otherwise? You may say, “I am not worthy, but the question is: Who is?” We receive mercy that we do not deserve and we are thankful for that, but that does not diminish our holiness. It might be time for you to begin to see yourself as saints because that is who you are. Holiness does not mean perfection.

 

For a Catholic, holiness means living in close union with God and becoming the person God created you to be. You are to love your God and your neighbor as yourself. Holiness is sharing God’s life. It is friendship with God, and we deepen that relationship by personal and communal prayer, participating in the sacraments, being the sacrament, and in responding to God’s invitations to deeper life. 

 

We become holier when we see and love the world the way that Christ does. It often involves our bothering to care for the poor, the vulnerable, and those in need. It is evidenced through a self-giving love, sharing our charity, giving mercy when it is not deserved, and learning how to reconcile difficult and broken relationships. Holiness is expressed in different ways. Therese of Lisieux modeled quiet faithfulness, while Teresa of Calcutta engaged in radical service, Maximilian Kolbe and Oscar Romero displayed courage under persecution. You have unique ways in which you reveal your holiness.

 

I want to ask the question again: Do you now see yourself as holy? I hope you do. I hope you see yourself rightly as the saints you are. Holiness is lived in the everyday world. If you could see yourself the way Jesus sees you, he would say, “Wow! I’m pleased. I’m impressed. You are remarkable. Here is a friend who is truly impressive. You cause me to catch my breath.” We need to see ourselves and each other the way Jesus sees us. When we do, the whole world is charged with the grandeur of God.