The Catholic Calendar for Monday, March 1, 2004
Monday of the First Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Leviticus 19:1-2,11-18
Psalm 19:8-10,15
Matthew 25:31-46

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today’s first reading we get a taste of the law that God gave to Moses for his people. There were over 600 of these laws that the people of Israel were expected to strictly follow. But even though they had such a detailed law, they didn’t quite get it, did they?

You and are I are not subject to these 600 items of the law since it was all done away with by Jesus’ divine act on the cross. This should make things much simpler for us. But I submit to you that we are just like the Israelites that Moses led: we don’t quite get it.

As summarized in the first reading, the law boils down to one fine point - love you neighbor as yourself. Jesus also stated this as a truth. And how are we to do this, exactly? Well, Jesus outlines it pretty clearly in today’s Gospel. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, love the downcast, give drink to the thirsty. The consequences of not doing this are rather severe as Jesus points out.

As a lenten objective we should all strive to “get it.” In addition to going without meat on Fridays, fast and give what you would have eaten to the poor. Instead of watching TV every night, take a night and prepare meals at a mission for the homeless. Give your coat to one who has none. Spend time with those in prison or who are otherwise downtrodden. By doing these we are also doing it for our Lord, and this is the point of the whole law.

- Don Claunch, sfo

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posted by joachim at 4:20 AM