READINGS:
1 R : Lev 19 : 1 - 2, 11 - 18.
Ps 18 : 8, 9, 10, 15.
Gos : Mt 25 : 31 - 46.
WE MUST REMEMBER THAT ALL THE LENTEN READINGS ARE EXTREMELY ENLIGHTENING AND POWERFUL.
" BE HOLY FOR I, YOUR GOD IS HOLY " IS THE FIRST SENTENCE OF THE FIRST READING.
GENERALLY EVERYONE CONFUSES HOLINESS WITH PIETY AND RELIGIOSITY.
THEREFORE, IMMEDIATELY THE PASSAGE EXPLAINS AS TO WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HOLY.
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF.
MEANS: YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, NOR DEAL FALSELY, NOR LIE.
DO NOT HOLD BACK THE WAGES OF A HIRED SERVANT.
DO NOT CURSE THE DEAF NOR PUT OBSTACLE BEFORE THE BLIND
FAIR JUDGEMENT: NEITHER PARTIAL TO THE POOR NOR DEFERENCE TO THE RICH
NO SLANDER ( V. V. IMPORTANT )
NO HATE, NO VENGEANCE, NO GRUDGE.
IN CASE OF WRONG DOING, TELL IT DIRECTLY AND YOU WILL / NEED NOT CARRY HIS / HER GUILT.
ISN'T IT VERY EVIDENT THAT, FOR GOD'S PEOPLE
HOLINESS IS NOT PIETY ALONE AS PHARASEES MISUNDERSTOOD.
THE GOSPEL REMINDS US ABOUT THE CRITERIA THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED IN THE FINAL JUDGEMENT:
FOOD TO THE HUNGRY
WATER TO THE THIRSTY
SHELTER TO THE HOMELESS
CLOTHING THE NAKED
CARING THE SICK AND
VISITING THE IMPRISONED.
THESE ARE TRADITIONALLY KNOWN AS THE CORPORAL ACTS OF CHARITY WITH THE SEVENTH ONE BEING
BURYING THE DEAD.
IN THIS LENT IT IS PRESCRIPTIVE TO ANALYSE OUR LIFE IN THESE LINES RATHER THAN MERELY GETTING BUSY WITH
' PIOUS GOODIES '
