There is an interesting contrast between the two readings assigned for today, the first Monday of Lent. In the Book of Leviticus you get a version of the Ten Commandments with many “thou shalt nots.” In the Gospel of Matthew, the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, contains “thou shalts” — thou shalt feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, etc. Both the “shalt not” and the “shalt” are part of the response of faith. Our behaviors have to be consistent with the plan of God for the world. And we must understand that out there has a claim on us as a brother and sister in the Lord. Lent provides the opportunity to attend to both aspects of our Christian life.
