Being holy . . . does not mean being perfect but being whole; it does not mean being exceptionally religious or being religious at all; it means being liberated from religiosity and religious pietism of any sort; it does not mean being morally better, it meas being exemplary; it does not mean being godly, but rather being truly human.
Interpretation
To be holy is to be whole and truly human, rather than to strive for perfection or adhere strictly to religious dogma.
William Stringfellow emphasizes that holiness is not about perfection or strict adherence to religious practices; instead, it reflects a state of being whole and authentic. True holiness encompasses liberation from superficial religiosity, moral superiority, and a focus on genuinely human qualities that connect us to ourselves and others.
In practice
In a speech about personal growth, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of being true to oneself.
It quite often happens that the old man is subject to the delusion of a great moral renewal and rebirth, and from this experience he passes judgments on the work and course of his life, as if he had only now become clear-sighted; and yet the inspiration behind this feeling of well-being and these confident judgements is not wisdom, but weariness .
Excuse me, are you the imprint of a departed soul?
If you have not linked yourself to true emptiness, you will never understand the art of peace.
The Universe is difficult to comprehend because it is obvious.
The modern habit of doing ceremonial things unceremoniously is no proof of humility; rather it proves the offender's inability to forget himself in the rite, and his readiness to spoil for every one else the proper pleasure of ritual.
You grieve Not that heaven does not exist but That it exists without us
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