In today’s first reading, God gives a clear and daunting command: "Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy." But what does hol...
In today’s first reading, God gives a clear and daunting command: "Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy." But what does holiness look like? It’s not just about staying in a chapel; it’s about how we treat our neighbor. God lists practical rules: don't steal, don't lie, don't hold back wages, and don't stand idly by when your neighbor's life is at stake.
In the Gospel, Jesus takes this Mandate and gives it a face. In the famous scene of the Judgment of the Nations, the King separates the sheep from the goats. The criteria for entry into the Kingdom are entirely about Mercy: "I was hungry and you gave me food... naked and you clothed me."
The most shocking part of this Gospel is that both the saved and the lost are surprised. "Lord, when did we see you?" they ask. Jesus reveals a profound mystery: every person we meet is a Mirror. When we look at the poor, the sick, or the prisoner, we are looking at the face of Christ in disguise.
Holiness is not an abstract concept; it is found in the "messy" work of charity. This Lent, as we strive to be holy, let us look for Christ in the people we usually try to ignore. Our final exam won't be on theology; it will be on love.
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