# You Shall Be Holy – Opening Our Hearts to God
*2016-11-27*

> Bill Young leads a short Advent reflection on the call to holiness, reading Leviticus 11:45 and offering a prayer inspired by Pope Francis.

## Scripture Reading

Leviticus 11:45 – “For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God; therefore you shall be holy, for I am holy.”

## Reflection

In this first week of Advent we are reminded that holiness is not an optional extra but the very identity of God. When God calls us to be holy, He is inviting us to conform to His own nature—pure, loving, and truthful. Pope Francis often speaks of holiness as a “daily, ordinary” path that begins with opening our hearts to God’s grace.

## Prayer

O God, awaken in all of us a renewed desire for holiness. May the splendor of truth shine forth in our words, the song of charity resound in our works, purity and chastity abide in our hearts and bodies, and the full beauty of the Gospel be evident in our lives.

*Advent invites us to open our hearts to God’s call to holiness, allowing His light to transform every word, deed, and desire.*