Leviticus 11:44Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"Be holy, for I am holy," declares the Lord. The apostles are commended for forsaking all to follow the Savior (cf. Lk. 18:28-30). In reality, aside from their nets and boat, as noted, they relinquished little (Matt. 4:21-22). Nevertheless, they receive the affirmation of the impending Judge that, by dedicating themselves, they surrendered all they possessed.

How can we carry out the command given to us by God, who instructs: ‘Be ye holy, even as I am holy’? It is essential for us to understand the motivations and perilous factors that lead us to violate this commandment, and we must strive to eliminate them from our lives. St. Mark the Ascetic, in his spiritual teachings, notes: ‘The source of desire is the craving for human praise and recognition.’ Other holy fathers remark that desire grows when one seeks physical comfort in food, drink, and sleep, and is especially heightened when a person does not guard their gaze from tempting sights. Recognizing this, let us, with divine assistance, endeavor to uproot not only the distressing branches but also the very root of these vices. This is vital for the sanctification of our souls and bodies, as the Lord mandates through the Apostle: Glorify God in your bodies and in your souls, which are God's. (1 Cor. 6:20).

Be set apart, for I am set apart; that is, choose Me and reject all that brings Me displeasure. Engage in the things I cherish and embrace what I hold dear. When My commandments appear challenging, seek the One who gives them, for from Him, assistance will also arise. I will not withhold help once I have expressed My intentions. Steer clear of dissent and avoid resistance. I am your sustenance and refreshment. No one seeks after what belongs to Me without purpose. Those who pursue Me discover Me by partaking of My essence.

Dear and devoted followers of the Lord, we must not take this lightly, for the Lord urges us: Be holy, for I am holy. This call to holiness should resonate with all of Christ's believers, as echoed by St. Peter who affirms: You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation (1 Pet. 2:9). This designation of holiness is particularly applicable to all priests. In various letters addressed to the Lord’s priests, the theme of their sanctity is consistently highlighted. Given that this term is ascribed to us, it is important to reflect on what this title means.