Daily Readings - Mon Feb 19 2024
Leviticus
1The LORD said to Moses,2"Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.11"'Do not steal. "'Do not lie. "'Do not deceive one another.12"'Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.13"'Do not defraud your neighbor or rob him. "'Do not hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.14"'Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the LORD.15"'Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.16"'Do not go about spreading slander among your people. "'Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life. I am the LORD.17"'Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.18"'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
Matthew
31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
Sermon
The readings from Leviticus and Matthew offer a profound reflection on the essence of living a holy and just life. Leviticus emphasizes the importance of treating others with justice and love, highlighting that holiness is not just a divine attribute but a calling for God's people. The passage outlines various commandments that guide everyday interactions, stressing the importance of fairness, honesty, and compassion in both individual and societal contexts. These laws are not merely rules but a way of life that reflects God's holiness.
In Matthew, Jesus vividly describes the final judgment, where the separation of sheep and goats is based on how individuals treated the most vulnerable. This passage underscores that true faith is demonstrated through actions, particularly in serving the least among us. The key message is that service to others, especially those in need, is equivalent to serving Jesus Himself. This teaching challenges us to recognize Christ in everyone and to act with love and compassion.
Together, these readings remind us that our actions have eternal consequences. They call us to a life of consistent kindness, justice, and love, not just through grand gestures but in the small, everyday interactions. Spiritually, they invite us to reflect on how we treat others, ensuring that our actions align with the principles of justice and love. Ultimately, they teach us that living a life of faith is not just about belief but about actively demonstrating love and service to all, especially the most vulnerable.