1st Week of Lent (B) : Monday 19th February 2024

God was sharing with Moses the rules for living in community. The rules were rooted in holiness – God is holy, and God’s people needed to be holy. Each person and their property were to be respected. The people were to deal honestly and with integrity, not cheating or lying about one another.

Those with challenges were to be treated with respect. The people were to love their neighbour as themselves. The clear message throughout was “I am the Lord.” And these instructions are valid for us today.

Jesus was sharing what is expected of those who follow him. The message is simple but certainly not easy. And interestingly, the people who practise this are often unaware of what they are doing. They are the people who see a person in need and automatically, without thinking, look after the need.

They feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit prisoners and care for the sick as naturally as they breathe. But the amazing thing according to Jesus, is that when they do this, it is as though they are doing these things to Jesus Himself! This is the central message of the Gospel – we are to look after others.

Lord, help me to be sensitive to the needs of others.