MAKE A LIST

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this Monday in the First Week of Lent is, “Make A List.”

Make a list of do’s and don’ts on how to do life - how to do life as a Christian.

This is a very basic and a very easy homily to say - to list - but it contains things that are very difficult to do.

Do the good stuff on the list and don’t do the bad stuff on the list.

TODAY’S READINGS

Sometimes the readings at Mass are not that clear - not that specific on what to do and what not to do if one wants to lead a holy life, a Christian life.

Today’s readings - both of them, Leviticus 19: 1-2, 11-18 and Matthew 25: 31-46 are very clear and very specific on how to live life to the full.

The first reading closes with the Golden Rule: Love your neighbor as you love yourself. In other words, what are the things we want for ourselves and what are the things we hate to see happen to us?

HERE ARE THE TWO LISTS: DON’T’S AND DO’S.

Here are the two lists. I’ll start with the don’ts coming out of today’s first reading.

·        Don’t steal,

·        Don’t lie,

·        Don’t speak falsely,

·        Don’t swear to God’s name,

·        Don’t exploit those we can exploit,

·        Don’t rob,

·        Don’t withhold wages,

·        Don’t curse the deaf,

·        Don’t put things in front of the blind to trip them,

·        Don’t judge falsely,

·        Down kow tow to the mighty or show partiality towards the weak,

·        No hatred.

·        Don’t cause yourself to sin when challenging others.
No revenge,

·        No hugging grudges.

Here are the do’s coming out of today’s gospel from Matthew 25…..

·        Give food to the hungry,

·        Give something so the thirsty can have a drink.

·        Welcome the stranger,

·        Clothe the naked,

·        Visit those in prison or those who are in Jail.

CONCLUSION

One causes heaven here and hereafter. One causes hell here and hereafter. Chose to do the good stuff on lists and avoid the damaging stuff. Amen.