Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18 / Matthew 25:31-46
We can be quite indifferent about laws and regulations when we just see it as what we cannot do and what we should not do.
It can be easy to view it as a prohibition and then find ways and means to go around it or even to commit the offence and try not to get caught and punished for it.
If that is the case, then it is just observing the letter of the law. But how about the spirit of the law? And what is meant by the spirit of the law?
In the 1st reading, we heard about the commandments that the Lord gave to Moses to give to the people.
Yet we also heard one phrase that is being repeated and interspersed between each set of commandments, and it is this: I am the Lord.
It means to say that behind the laws and commandments that were given is also the Giver of the Law, and the Giver puts His spirit in the laws and commandments.
Hence when we break the laws and go against the commandments, it is the Lord God that we are disobeying and going against.
In the gospel, Jesus puts the spirit of the Law in the very basic forms of charity like feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger and clothing the naked, caring for the sick and visiting those in prison.
Yet these are not just acts of charity to those in need. Jesus made it very clear that whatever is done, or not done, the receiver is the Lord.
May our eyes be opened during this period of Lent to see the Lord in the laws and commandments, and also in all peoples.