Monday of the 1st Week of Lent
Lev 19:1-2,11-18
Mt 25:31-46
“Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy”
Brothers and sisters, the command “Be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2) is crucial for our lives and relationships. Leviticus 19 serves as a guide for both ancient Israel and us today; it is not just about rules, but about embodying God’s character in every aspect of life.
The Hebrew concept of holiness — being ‘set apart’, ‘different’ and ‘dedicated’ — calls us to live distinctly in our everyday lives. God’s holiness reveals His moral purity, and this essence isn’t merely a checklist of values to follow; it points toward who we are becoming in relationship with Him.
Today’s first reading is filled with instructions which weave together personal conduct and communal responsibility. The commands to practice justice and not to exploit or rob one’s neighbour, remind us that holiness is practical and relational. The imperative to “love your neighbour as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18) drives us to move beyond selfishness and embrace empathy.
I reflect on this reading in light of a recent driving experience that struck a nerve. As I stopped to let an elderly pedestrian cross at a zebra crossing, someone zoomed past, angrily honking and then pointing the middle finger at me. In that instant, a wave of frustration washed over me, and I felt the intense urge to curse at that driver, to let my anger explode. It is so easy in those moments to retaliate, allowing that anger to fester like an open wound. But that’s exactly what grudges do — they ensnare us and cloud our hearts. Just imagine if we let ourselves react this way every day, navigating a world filled with hostile neighbours and unkind gestures. The impact would be suffocating, not just for us, but for everyone around us.
Leviticus reminds us of our higher calling — to rise above immediate reactions and let compassion guide our responses, even toward those who wrong us. How would God want us to react in those moments? He wants us to “be holy in all we do” (1 Peter 1:15–16).
In conclusion, let us remember, especially during this Lenten season, that each moment presents an opportunity to shine the Lord’s light in a world that desperately needs it. Let us participate in God’s redemptive work, by making daily choices that reflect love, kindness, and integrity, beyond our familiar circles. And let us strive to be holy people, dedicated to manifesting God’s love in every situation, even when it is difficult.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Stacey Fernandez)
Prayer: Lord, we humbly come to You, seeking Your grace. Help us embody Your holiness in our daily lives. Grant us the strength to love our neighbours as ourselves, even when faced with hostility or frustration. When anger arises, fill our hearts with compassion and understanding. May our lives be a testament to Your love and light in a world that desperately needs it.
Thanksgiving: Lord, we thank You for Your unfailing love and the gift of holiness. Thank You for guiding us through Your Word, and teaching us to love and serve others.
OXYGEN 
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