1st week in Lent, Monday – 27th February 2023 – Leviticus 19,1-2.11-18; Mt 25,31-46
Acts of God’s Love
The first reading from the book of Leviticus gives an expansion of the ten commandments. Today’s text presents some practical ways of living out our love for the neighbour. Although most of the precepts are in don’ts, such as “you shall not…”, we can turn them around to see how we should be treating those around. There are some do’s that pays greater attention to one’s neighbour: “Treat other people’s properties with respect. Be honest. Be fair in your dealings with others. Pay back those to whom you owe money. Treat the disabled with dignity, helping them as they need assistance….” (Lev 19,11-18). Living out these would mean to be involved in the lives of others who are in need. We are being called to be unselfish and think of others rather than ourselves. In doing so, we are loving God who loves each person unconditionally. We serve other persons because this is what God wants for them: a life of dignity and acceptance. God has decided to make us instruments of divine love. We can be the source for others to come to know God’s love by the way we lovingly treat them. Some people may never experience God’s loving concern for them unless we reach out with compassion and care.
