# Seeking God, finding God: The courage of holiness
*2009-03-04*

> Bill Young reflects on the call to a righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees, using the example of Martin Niemöller to discuss the necessity of courage in faith.

## The call to greater righteousness

In today's reading from Matthew 5:20, we are presented with a challenging standard: "Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." This call to holiness is not merely about following rules, but about a righteousness rooted in courage and truth.

## The lesson of Martin Niemöller

We remember the example of Martin Niemöller, a decorated German U-boat commander from World War I who later became a Lutheran pastor. He is remembered for his courageous challenge to the Nazi regime and the haunting words he spoke after spending seven years in various concentration camps. He recounted how he remained silent while the communists, socialists, trade unionists, and Jews were targeted because he did not identify with those groups. By the time the regime came for him, there was no one left to speak for him.

## Holiness and courage

Both Ezekiel and Jesus call us to a holiness that is founded on courage. We are called to face our own fears and acknowledge our sinfulness, and then to stand up for what we know is right. This might involve approaching a person we have wronged or speaking out against a political regime that has caused injustice.

## Practicing justice in daily life

We should reflect on Niemöller's words and examine the times we have kept silent because we felt an issue was simply none of our business. However, justice is the business of all of us. We must ask ourselves how we can speak out for the weak today in our ordinary conversations, in our families, or in our places of business.

*True holiness requires the courage to speak out for others and face the truth of our own sinfulness.*