Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the
First Week of Lent (02nd March, 2020) 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 judgment 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 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
wrote,
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 blessed on the judgement day must bless
those around him or her. Work towards where you want to spend eternity. This
important decision must be made individually. No one will do it for you. 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 forever.
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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others if you consider it worthy.
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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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