We have heard that God is with you

Many of us are concerned about "fitting in," especially at sensitive times in our lives such as adolescence.

But many times, if not most times in this crazy world, it is better not to fit in, it is better to be different, for we are called to be holy.

This, however, is not simply a matter of looking out for ourselves, for the holiness of the people of God has a salvific role for the rest of the world, as we hear in today’s first reading (Zec. 8:20-23).

Thus saith the LORD of hosts;
In those days it shall come to pass,
that ten men shall take hold
out of all languages of the nations,
even shall take hold of the skirt
of him that is a Jew, saying,
We will go with you:
for we have heard that God is with you.

Throughout the millennia, Jews have many times been persecuted because they kept themselves different, because they held to the commandments the Lord had given them.

But by living their faith and standing out from the crowd, according to the prophecy of Zechariah, they become an instrument by which the nations are brought to the Lord.

This is true a fortiori for the people of God which is the body of believers in Christ.

As Christians, we must be holy, we must be faithful, we must stand out.

By our words, by our actions, by the way we live our lives we must display to all the world the love, the truth, and the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so that people may come up to us and say,

We will go with you:
for we have heard that God is with you.