Monday of the First Week

Reflection

In my opinion, one of the most important and encompassing teachings of Jesus is contained in the central message of these readings. These readings lay out in plain language how humankind should treat one another: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”. Jesus goes on in the Gospel to say how those who treated Him with kindness, mercy, and love will inherit the kingdom of God, yet those people never realized that when they helped a stranger in need, they were in fact returning all that love to Jesus Himself, for “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

That simple line carries so much within it and delivers the deeper message that Jesus is intrinsically and perpetually present in each and every single person through the Holy Spirit. If we take anything away from these readings, it is that we should love ourselves as Jesus does, and extend that care to everyone else around us. Stranger or not, we are all united and interconnected by Him and His unending love.

It is apparent that when we understand this and put it into practice, our communities become stronger and deepen in connection and support for one another. Mother Teresa understood this and adopted it full heartedly in her mission and service work, “Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you. Love begins by taking care of the closest ones—the ones at home.”  Building the kind of world that takes care of each other starts with you and a small act of kindness toward the person right next to you.

Prayer

Loving God, may we remember often to care for others the way You care for us. May You grant us the awareness and strength to stand up for each other, justice, and overall peace in our communities. Amen.

Vicky Castillo, ’20, Assistant Director of MOVE

Scripture

First Reading: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18

Psalm 19:8-10, 15

Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website