The Book of Leviticus contains what is usually called the Holiness Code. Holiness in this context does not so much deal with morality as it does purity. Purity is not about sin but more like contagion. The Israelites should choose not to eat certain foods or use certain items to demonstrate their dedication to the God who made them the Chosen People. These kosher laws came to define what it meant to be a Jew. Jesus famously would challenge any law which made it difficult to care for others. St. Peter in the Acts of the Apostles finds that following Jesus requires expanding that principle. Caring for others requires including everyone, even non-Jews, into the circle of belonging. This reflects the mission of Jesus to form one flock, one shepherd. It is easy for us to divide the world up into who’s in and who’s out. The message of Jesus is to include not exclude. As Pope Francis often said: todos, todos, todos. Everyone belongs.
