Monday, March 10, 2025

Monday of the First Week in Lent

(Leviticus 19:1-2.11-18; Matthew 25:31-46)

The Scripture readings today strike a balance between negative and positive actions.  Leviticus emphasizes the former with a list of “You shall not(s).”  The gospel, on the other hand, accentuates the positive.  It predicts Jesus reminding the nations at the end of time that they are being judged on what they did for the little people of the world.  If they fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and visited the imprisoned, they will be judged worthy of salvation.

We might ask which is more important, to avoid doing what is wrong or to do what is right?  In medicine, at least, an answer to this question seems to emerge.  The Hippocratic Oath, which physicians have taken for centuries, clearly sides with the need to avoid evil.  After promising to offer dietetic measures to heal the sick, budding physicians swear not to do a series of evils: hasten death, induce abortion, and molest patients or householders whom they visit. 

It is fair to conclude that avoiding harm is essential but insufficient.  If love is the supreme virtue, it entails that we act positively toward others.  If we cannot do anything directly to support them, then we should at least pray that their needs be met.  During Lent we redouble efforts to examine our lives daily with two questions in mind.  We ask ourselves, “What evil have I done today?” and “What good have I failed to do?”

Monday, February 19, 2024

Monday of the First Week of Lent

(Leviticus 19:1-2.11-18; Matthew 25:31-46)

Today’s reading from Leviticus pursues the theme of holiness.  It takes for granted that holiness involves cultic observance and separation from filth and what might lead to impurity.  The reading emphasizes the ethical component of holiness.  Mostly it offers negative precepts or sins that must be avoided – lies, stealth, and meanness. It concludes by proposing a form of the golden rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

The gospel provides content for that rule.  Jesus tells his followers that those who feed the hungry, care for the sick, and visit the imprisoned will be invited into the Kingdom of God.  For Jesus love is active and requires sacrifice.  It may start with good intentions and include prayer for those who are suffering.  But one cannot be welcomed into the kingdom if he or she ignores someone in need.

We may not care if we are considered holy or not, but we probably want to experience eternal life.  We can’t have one without the other.  We must avoid what sullies our character and strive to love our neighbor. 

Monday, March 11, 2019

Monday of the First Week in Lent

(Leviticus 19:1-2.11-18; Matthew 25:31-46)

A movie shows a ranger who takes a boy in his care.  The ranger recognizes that the boy has been hurt by the death of his father.  Although he does not demand that the lad converse, he expects him to complete his chores.  It does not take long for the ranger to win the boy’s respect and confidence.  In light of today’s readings it might be said that the ranger is holy.

People often think of holiness as one being set apart in a monastery or hermitage to pray all day.  However, in both the reading from Leviticus and Matthew’s gospel holiness has a very dynamic dimension.  To be holy is to act like God.  Holy people judge fairly and love widely.  They also abhor meanness and injustice.  Holiness is the abiding quality of those who practice God’s law.

We sometimes call life a “rat race.” We mean that it is a constant struggle to keep up with others.  It may be said as well that it is like a “rat race” because we tend to act like rats always appropriating as much as possible for ourselves .  During Lent we are urged to leave the rat race behind for holiness.  Rather than keeping up with others, we should concentrate on doing what is good for all. Rather than hoarding for ourselves, we should assist our neighbors in need.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Monday of the First Week in Lent

(Leviticus 19:1-2.11-18; Matthew 25:31-46)

The Scripture readings today strike a balance between negative and positive actions.  Leviticus emphasizes the former with a list of “You shall not(s).”  The gospel, on the other hand, accentuates the positive.  It predicts Jesus reminding the nations at the end of time that they are being judged on what they did for the little people of the world.  If they fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and visited the imprisoned, they will be judged worthy of salvation.

We might ask which is more important, to avoid doing what is wrong or to do what is right?  In medicine, at least, an answer to this question seems to emerge.  The Hippocratic Oath, which physicians have taken for centuries, clearly sides with the need to avoid evil.  After promising to offer dietetic measures to heal the sick, budding physicians swear not to do a series of evils: hasten death, induce abortion, and molest patients or householders whom they visit. 

It is fair to conclude that avoiding harm is essential but insufficient.  If love is the supreme virtue, it entails that we act positively toward others.  If we cannot do anything directly to support them, then we should at least pray that their needs be met.  During Lent we redouble efforts to examine our lives daily with two questions in mind.  We ask ourselves, “What evil have I done today?” and “What good have I failed to do?”

Monday, February 23, 2015

Monday of the First Week in Lent

(Leviticus 19:1-2.11-18; Matthew 25:31-46)

A few weeks the Vatican announced that it is arranging free haircuts and shaves for street people in Rome.  Already a section of St. Peter’s colonnade has been sectioned off for showers and toilets for these poorest of the poor.  Now the Church is also providing a space for barbers to come on their day off to provide their services.  It is not so much that Pope Francis thinks “cleanliness is next to Godliness” but that he knows caring for the poor is God’s will.

The first reading today is part of the “holiness code” of the Old Testament.  Its emphasis on justice shows that religion in the Jewish tradition demands more than prayer and asceticism.  Jesus pushes the idea to its extreme.  He tells his disciples that they reverence him when they serve the needy.

The poor surround us.  They are not necessarily begging on street corners.  They may be serving us breakfast or cutting our lawn.  We must not look pass them.  Quite the contrary we need to see in them a reflection of Jesus.  In a way like taking the body and blood in the Eucharist, meeting their needs provides access to eternal life.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Monday of the First Week in Lent

(Leviticus 19:1-2.11-18; Matthew 25:31-46)

In a reflection on the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., the Preacher of the Papal Household, makes a disturbing realization. He says that we can love ourselves in the wrong way! That is, we can overindulge our appetites or seek misguided goals – vice and not virtue. If we wish these things on others, we do them a disservice. In the gospel today Jesus spells out true ways to show love of neighbor.

Jesus outlines what has become known as the “corporal works of mercy” in a dramatic way. He says that when we feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, etc., we actually are rendering service to him. There is a scholarly debate regarding the deprived people with whom he identifies himself. Are they missionaries who speak in his name or are they all people in dire need? Although those who in all humility bring God’s word to the people bear Jesus within them, it would be rather narrow-minded to limit Jesus’ intent to only these. He came to embrace the whole world in our suffering, and because he is God who cares for those society ignores, he reaches out especially to the poor and helpless.

All human actions should be guided by the virtue of prudence. It may not be wise to give cash to the beggar at the corner. But we can open our hands as well as our wallets to provide for street people. There are a million ways to render assistance to Jesus as he describes himself here. All involve sacrifice. Lent is the time to figure out and to do what we can.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Monday of the First Week in Lent

(Leviticus 19:1-2.11-18; Matthew 25:31-46)

The Scriptural readings for today’s mass strike a balance between negative and positive acts. Leviticus enumerates several “thou shalt nots” (although modern translations make it, “You shall not”). Knowing that humans are as likely to do evil as they are to fail doing good, the Church wants to remind us not to steal, judge harshly, or hate. The gospel, on the other hand, emphasizes that avoiding evil is not enough for salvation. The saved will also feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the imprisoned.

We might ask which is more important – to avoid doing what is wrong or to do what is good? Can we risk doing harm by trying to do good? Or is it better to play it safe by never taking any chances? In medicine, at least, an answer to these puzzling questions seems to emerge. The Hippocratic Oath, which physicians took for centuries, clearly sides with the need to avoid malfeasance. After promising to offer dietetic measures to heal the sick, the oath-taker swears not to hasten death, induce abortion, or to molest patients or householders whom they visit. By nature conservative, the tradition means to temper the penchant of risk-taking.

It is fair to say that avoiding harm is essential but insufficient. If love is the supreme virtue, it entails that we act positively toward others by at least praying for them when we cannot offer physical or moral support. During Lent we may take stock of our lives by daily asking ourselves two questions: What evil have I done today? What good have I failed to do?