By Francis Gayang csc –
Readings: Lev 19:1-2, 11-18; Mt 25:31-46
The first reading of the day opens with a command from the Lord,” You shall be holy, for I, the Lord your God am holy.” This is not an optional invitation that I can follow at my convenience. It is a straightforward command from the living God, ‘Be holy’. I have disfigured God’s original plan; for God in his goodness never abandons me.
In fact, he even gave his son in sacrifice as a ransom for my sins. The reading not only reminded me of my duty to remain holy like God, but also to carry on with my life as per God’s principles and guidelines. In the gospel reading, Jesus affirms that what matters the most for him is how we value each of his creatures, especially “the least of these little ones…”
Jesus concretized it in his life that no one becomes less valuable by being with the powerless ones in society. For him, the one who is in greater need requires greater attention. If I fail to understand this simple logic, I am no better than the second type of people in the gospel reading; those who have selfish motives. Helping those who can repay me is like investing treasure in a bank.
Helping others must be carried on with good faith, not with worldly agendas. It should flow from generosity of my heart and not as a way to publicize myself. Jesus teaches me how to be mature in faith and take a stand so that I can be a part taker in his Heavenly abode (Mt 6:19).