February 16 Leviticus 19-20 & Romans 7

Wow, I love chapter 19!!!!!! Not because I do it well, but it does speak to my heart!!! "Be holy" how often do you think about being holy? Not a bad thought to put before yourself in Lent. Did you hear God's concern for the poor? "When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not be so thorough that you reap the field to its very edge, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. Likewise, you shall not pick your vineyard bare, nor gather up the grapes that have fallen. These things you shall leave for the poor and the alien. I, the LORD, am your God." For you and me this challenges us to make sure we are extending care to those in need around us, and there ARE people in need ALL AROUND US. It also says, "You shall not hate any of your kindred in your heart. Reprove your neighbor openly so that you do not incur sin because of that person. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your own people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." Do I love my neighbor as myself? Again, "When an alien resides with you in your land, do not mistreat such a one. You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself." We do not treat people (i.e., dreamers) - HUMAN BEINGS as a bargaining chip for things (i.e., border walls). Respect the relationships of those God has placed in your life.

God's spirit calls us to be of service to our neighbor because in Christ we have died to self and risen with Christ to new life. Our life is bound to our community of faith. How are you reaching out to serve? We are the body of Christ, we belong to Christ and Christ is in us all. While the end of chapter 7 reads a little crazily, it is worth your meditation. Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.