Act justly and cause no pain to anyone

Lev. 19:1-2.11-18, Mt. 25:31-46. Jesus in today’s Gospel presents us with the 'Last Judgment' in which at the appointed time, God will gather all mankind, dividing the righteous and the wicked based on their actions and all the things that they have committed in life, as well as whatever they have not done in the opportunities which have been given to them. Those who have not listened to the word of God, or acted in ways that He has shown us, as He made clear before His people in our first reading, these will be placed among those who will be condemned because of their sins. It is ultimately not God Who wants to condemn those who have been sinful and wicked, but rather, they themselves who voluntarily rejected God’s love. God spoke clearly before His people of what He expects of them in their actions and deeds in life: to act justly towards one another, not to oppress those they encounter in life, not to slander others or gossip, or to cause pain and difficulties just for the sake of our own selfish desires.

In this season of Lent, we are called to be righteous and to abandon our sinful ways of life and not to forget that we should also avoid the sin of omission. We may think that it is enough to settle our affairs and not need to worry about others, or that as long as we are pious in life, then everything will be good and well for us. In this season of Lent, we are reminded yet again, that we need to extend and share our blessings with others and care for the needs of others, especially when we are in the position and able to do so.

May the Lord help us to do what is right and good and give us the grace to seek God in the sick, lonely, depressed, hungry, needy and less privilege! Amen!! Good morning, have a fruitful week!!!