Monday, February 26, 2007
From AscensionNYC
Monday in the First Week of Lent
Psalm 19:7-14
Leviticus 19:1-2,11-18
Matthew 25:31-46
New York City
In Leviticus we learn that God is "good" and he wants us to be good, too. He wants peace and happiness, and he suggests a way of life in which we can enjoy peace and happiness, too. He sets forth some basic ideas, really rules for us to live by. These are our commandments — do not steal or lie, be kind to those less fortunate than yourself, be just, and "love your neighbor as yourself." This is God's wisdom and he shares it with us to consider in our day-to-day life.
In Psalm 19, we are told the way of the Lord is perfect, fine and sweet, and if we follow the rules of the Lord, we will be rejuvenated and lead a happy and rewarding life. We may be tempted to waiver from the ways of the Lord, but following his rules will have sweet reward.
Matthew tells us a story in which all people are divided in two groups — the people "on the right-hand side of the King" who follow the way of the Lord, who will inherit God's kingdom and enjoy eternal life because they've been generous to all people, they have treated their fellow human beings as they would want to be treated. Are you hungry? I will give you food. Are you cold? I will share my warm clothing with you. But what happens to the people on the left of the King? They suffer eternal punishment because they did not take care of the hungry and the less fortunate. They turned the other way and did not help those who were suffering and in need. This is not the way of the Lord, this is not how God wants us to live on this Earth.
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Through today's readings we are reminded of God's precepts, his rules of conduct for us, the ways in which to live a just, holy and rewarding life that will lead to eternal peace. We are reminded that he sent Jesus to teach us how to lead a good life, how to be a good Christian. Applying all of these proclamations to the letter may prove a challenge but keeping them in our mind and remembering the beauty of a life with God is rewarding to our souls.
Finally, Lent is also a time of abstinence and for our family it means no chocolate, no ice cream: we can't wait for Easter!
Leviticus 19:1-2,11-18
Matthew 25:31-46
In Leviticus we learn that God is "good" and he wants us to be good, too. He wants peace and happiness, and he suggests a way of life in which we can enjoy peace and happiness, too. He sets forth some basic ideas, really rules for us to live by. These are our commandments — do not steal or lie, be kind to those less fortunate than yourself, be just, and "love your neighbor as yourself." This is God's wisdom and he shares it with us to consider in our day-to-day life.
In Psalm 19, we are told the way of the Lord is perfect, fine and sweet, and if we follow the rules of the Lord, we will be rejuvenated and lead a happy and rewarding life. We may be tempted to waiver from the ways of the Lord, but following his rules will have sweet reward.
Matthew tells us a story in which all people are divided in two groups — the people "on the right-hand side of the King" who follow the way of the Lord, who will inherit God's kingdom and enjoy eternal life because they've been generous to all people, they have treated their fellow human beings as they would want to be treated. Are you hungry? I will give you food. Are you cold? I will share my warm clothing with you. But what happens to the people on the left of the King? They suffer eternal punishment because they did not take care of the hungry and the less fortunate. They turned the other way and did not help those who were suffering and in need. This is not the way of the Lord, this is not how God wants us to live on this Earth.
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Through today's readings we are reminded of God's precepts, his rules of conduct for us, the ways in which to live a just, holy and rewarding life that will lead to eternal peace. We are reminded that he sent Jesus to teach us how to lead a good life, how to be a good Christian. Applying all of these proclamations to the letter may prove a challenge but keeping them in our mind and remembering the beauty of a life with God is rewarding to our souls.
Finally, Lent is also a time of abstinence and for our family it means no chocolate, no ice cream: we can't wait for Easter!
