Homily for Monday of the 1st Week of Lent (2)

Homily for Monday of the 1st Week of Lent

Theme: In so far as you did this to one of the least of these, you did it to me.

By: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA

Homily for Monday March 7 2022

*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Leviticus 19:1-2,11-18
Psalm 18:8-10,15
Matthew 25:31-46

*INTRODUCTION*
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate the first monday in Lenten Season. And today It is striking how many times in the gospels Jesus identifies himself with others, especially with those who would have been considered without status or honour in his culture, such as children.

*FROM THE FIRST READING*
In our first reading today, taken from the Book of Leviticus, we heard of the words that God spoke to His people through Moses, as He instructed them all to be faithful and obedient to Him, to follow His Law and commandments, to be truly devoted to His path and be genuinely faithful in all things and not merely paying lip service to Him. They are all called to be righteous and full of virtues in life, not to be selfish and instead be loving and selfless in all of their ways, caring for others who are in need and be committed to be good brothers and sisters in the same Lord.

*FROM THE GOSPEL READING*
In our Gospel passage today, this sentiment is echoed and emphasised again to us as we heard of the Lord speaking to His disciples and the people gathered to listen to Him, regarding the time of the final or the Last Judgment, when the Lord Himself, as the great Judge of all the living and the dead, from all time and existence, will judge all of them, all by their deeds and merits, by their actions and virtues, as well as by their wickedness and evils, and by their failures to do what is good and virtuous whenever they could have done so.

*THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF TODAYS LITUGICAL READINGS*
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, all of us are called to do what our Lord Himself had taught us to do, to be good Christians in all things, and to do whatever we can to help our fellow brothers and sisters, to be kind and loving to them, showing them compassion and care, attention and the genuine affection that we should show our fellow brethren. The Lord has called on all of us to reach out to others and to show them our love and concern. For it is not only by our wickedness and evil acts that we will be judged against, but also by our failures to do what is right and just, good and worthy for us as Christians.

*CONCLUSION*
Let us all therefore, through our Lenten observances, continue to draw ever closer to God and His presence. Let us all through our Lenten practices, through our fast and abstinence, resist the temptations of sin and evil, and through our charity and almsgiving, be ever more generous in giving and sharing not only material goods and help to others in need, but even our love, care, time and attention to those who lack them.
May God bless Us All as we begin this new week.

Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA