Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18 / Matthew 31-46
The general purpose of religion is about the search for peace and happiness in life.
And if there is a belief in the afterlife, then by living a good life on earth, there will be reward in the afterlife.
But if one lives a life of wickedness and evil on earth, then there will be punishment in the afterlife.
As Christians, we too have these basic beliefs.
And the 1st reading, as well as the gospel parable, tells us how to live a good life here on earth.
In the 1st reading, the Lord spoke through Moses as He tells us not to steal nor deal deceitfully or fraudulently with others.
Besides that we are not to exploit or rob others, or curse others.
Besides that, there are also other laws that essentially direct us to live good and upright lives.
Those are basic and fundamental for us as human beings.
Similarly, in the gospel parable, Jesus teaches us to respect the dignity of those in need and to help them to have their basic needs in life.
We adhere to these not because they are laws or commandments that we must obey.
It is in these basic and fundamental laws and commandments that we strive for holiness.
The Lord our God tells us to be holy, just as He is holy.
It is because we want to be holy that we live by God’s laws and commandments.
It is in living holy lives that we will have peace and happiness here on earth, as well peace and happiness with God forever in heaven.