Called to Be Holy
Monday of the First Week of Lent, Feb 19, 2024
Lev. 19:1-2, 11-18; Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15; Matt 25:31-46
I once heard a story about a devout woman who lived in a small town. She regularly went to church passing by on her way the beggars who lined the streets asking for help. She would not even glance at them lost in her thoughts. But one day to her surprise, she found the church closed. And when she lifted her head, she saw a sign on the door that read, "I'm out there. Jesus."
In the reading from the Book of Leviticus, we are reminded of the divine call to be holy, to reflect in our lives the character of a holy God: "Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy" (Lev 19:2). The specific instructions in verses 11-18 emphasize ethical conduct and consideration for others. The injunctions against theft, falsehood, and grudges underscore the importance of integrity, honesty, and reconciliation in our interactions with one another. They end with a commandment: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself" (Lev 19:18).
Psalm 19 beautifully complements these teachings by celebrating the perfection and wisdom of God's law. The psalmist describes God’s teaching as refreshing the soul. He states that the decrees of the Lord give wisdom, bring joy, and enlighten us. For the psalmist, the precepts of the Lord are more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. It would be great if we treat the Bible with the appreciation of the psalmist, as God’s gift to help us live a meaningful life.
Finally, Matthew 25:31-46 paints a vivid picture of the final judgment, where Jesus identifies himself with the hungry, thirsty, strangers, and those in need. The idea of judgment over the nations appears already in the Old Testament, and the criterion of that judgment is how these nations treated Israel. In today's gospel. Matthew gives this idea a new meaning. The criterion according to which the nations will be judged is how they have treated Christ's followers (Mt 25:40,45).
In the letter of John, we find this powerful statement: "If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother [or sister], he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother [or sister] whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen" (1 John 4:20). And that is also the message of today's liturgy of the Word: our relationship with God is intimately tied to how we treat others, particularly the least among us. Saint John turns this message into a commandment: "Whoever loves God must also love his brother [and sister]" (1 John 4:21).
The call to holiness has been defined by the Church as following in the footsteps of Jesus to become more like Him. Jesus is our living Torah. Knowing Him is more precious than having all the riches of the world. Becoming more like Him means living for God, doing the Father's will, and going about doing good for our brothers and sisters in need. In such a life, we can find meaning, fulfilment and happiness.