Deliver us and pardon our sins for your holy name’s sake. Today’s First Reading is part of Daniel’s prayer to the Lord God in which he implores God’s mercy on behalf of his people (cf. Daniel 9:1-19). Daniel, as do most of the prophets, begins his imploration prayer by contrasting the faithfulness and goodness of the Lord God to the infidelity and inclination to do evil of humanity. Because of the huge contrast, Daniel feels unworthy of the Lord’s presence. He is “ashamed” at the unjust manner in which God has been treated by the people. Daniel is aware that despite God having always acted towards the people with nothing other than goodness and love, the response of the people has always been to act with infidelity and rebellion towards God. It is something that has become a trend and Daniel feels that one day the wellspring of the people’s luck might run dry and God will be “forced” to let them reap the rewards of their actions. However, Daniel is confident that such a time will not come. He is emboldened by the knowledge of how the Lord has always acted in the past towards his ancestors. And so, as he addresses the Lord in imploration, he is asking the Lord to continue being merciful and compassionate towards the people. Daniel is making this request to the Lord on behalf of the community, not because they deserve it, but rather because of God’s holy name (holiness). 
God’s name is holy because of how God acts towards God’s creatures. God is holy because God has never acted in a way that is not proper to, and in accord with God’s nature as a Creator (giver and sustainer of life). God is holy because God has never let human action (or inaction) determine how God acts toward them. God’s name is holy because God is faithful. The same cannot be said about human beings. Yet, human beings, created in the image and likeness of God, are also called to be holy. They are called to be co-creators with God, that is, to be givers, protectors, and sustainers of life. Let us learn from God and make holiness part of who we are as sons and daughters of God. Let our holiness be seen in our fidelity to the covenant that we made with God when we made our baptismal promises. Like God, may we express our holiness in how we act towards one another with compassion and mercy.