Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18 / Matthew 25:31-46
The word "holy" in Hebrew, has the root meaning of "to separate".
In religious usage, the word "holy" denotes divinity.
It was used strictly for the divinity of God to emphasize the unbridgeable difference between God and His creatures.
Yet in the 1st reading, it was God Himself who told His people: Be holy, for I, the Lord your God am holy.
In effect, God is telling us to be like Him, and rightly so, because we are made to be like Him because we belong to Him.
Hence, to be holy is not about being pious or just being spiritual, but it also has moral obligations.
In the gospel, Jesus states this moral obligation of holiness in very basic terms and in very practical deeds.
Deeds like sharing our food and drink and helping those in need.
Deeds like making strangers feel welcomed and respecting the dignity of others.
Deeds like caring for the sick and lonely.
God became man in Jesus Christ to show us the real meaning of holiness.
To be holy can be as basic and as practical as doing small acts with great love.
In Jesus, the holy became human, so that we humans can become holy.