Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the
First Week of Lent (15th February, 2016) on the Gospel
Lev 19:1-2.11-18;
Ps 18:8-10.15 (Jn 6:64);Matt 25:31-46.
Topic: Eternal life or punishment.
We see the picture of the judgement of the nations in today’s
gospel. People will be separated one from another according to their deeds as a
shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The sheep will be placed on his
right while the goats on His left. He will say to the sheep, “Come, you that
are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world” (Matt 25:34).
And to the goats, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire
prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt
25:41). Pronouncements will be based on one’s attitude towards the poor, the
thirsty, the strangers, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned, cf. Matt 25:35-36, 42-43.
Certainly one might be disturbed that he or she would have done
something but for the lack of the means. Pope Saint Leo the Great rightly
writes,
There are all manner of possible works of mercy and their
very variety implies this for true Christians that both the rich and the poor
have opportunities for doing good. Thus, even if we are not equal in our
worldly goods, we can achieve an equal standard in the love of our fellows.[1]
Whoever wants to be called blessed on the judgement day must
bless those around him or her now. One must work towards where he or she wants
to spend eternity. And this important decision must be made by each person.
Nobody will do it for another. We must remember that those who will be on God’s
left will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life,
cf. Matt 25:46. Decide now where you
want to be.
Bible Reading: Prov 30:5-9; Rom 12:9-21.
Thought for today: Where do you work towards – heaven or hell?
Let us pray: Lord, on our own we can do nothing. Please,
help our struggle towards eternal life – Amen.
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[1] Pope
Saint Leo the Great. Sermon 6 on Lent, 1-2. In The divine office: The liturgy
of the hours according to the roman rite, II (1997). pp. 14-15.
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