You Shall Be Holy

We should see God in one another.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Monday of 1st Week of Lent B, February 19th, 2024
Texts: Leviticus 19:1-2.11-18; Psalm 19:8-10,15; Matthew 25:31-46 

We learn, today, that the relationship between God and His people includes being like Him. This is clear in the words: “You shall be holy; for I the  Lord your God am holy.” Hence, choosing God to be our God is also choosing to be like Him. What does this say about God? He is our destiny, our model. It also reminds of God’s love for man. God loves man and so wills that man become like Him. It is out of love that God wants us to be like Him.  

What does the call to be like God say about man? It emphasises once again the truth that man is created in the image of God. Being like God is being who we are. Failure to be like God is to lose our true self, become corrupt and battered. The call to be like God reveals that man’s destiny is to fill the earth with the spirit of God. We become unfilled on earth if we fail to be like God. It also means that it is by being like Him that we have a part in Him.  

We should see God in one another

The call to be like God reveals that we are to be gods on earth. Jesus Christ affirms this when He says, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me”; “Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.” This emphasises the need to be good to one another. We should see God in one another. Our ways of life do not only also make us like God or not, God also experiences their effects.  

Today’s first reading tells us what we should not do, if we want to be like God. We are not to steal, deal falsely, lie, swear by God’s name falsely or profane the name. We should not oppress or rob our neighbours and not without the wages of labourers. The deaf, blind and other disabled should not be abused or make life difficult for them. We should not do injustice, be partial to the poor, defer to the great. We should not slander, hate or murder. 

We learn what to do to be like God in the gospel reading. It is to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, cover the naked, visit the prisoners. We should welcome strangers and take care of the sick. Lent is a period to acquire godly acts and give up ungodly acts, that we may manifest God’s image in us. 

Prayer 

Convert us, O God our Saviour, and instruct our minds by heavenly teaching, that we may benefit from the works of Lent. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke