Today's First reading from Leviticus reminds us of our responsibility to practise justice and charity in all our relationships even with our society as a whole. This includes:

1. Using the divine name in vain;
2. Laws against any form of lying & deception.
3. Deprivation of another person's freedom.
4. Exploiting the weak by cheating or stealing e.g. unjust treatment and wages.
5. All court proceedings are to adhere to justice.
6. No room for enmity and revenge.
7. Need for fraternal correction when necessary.

We are experiencing many of these in our society today. It is based on these that the Gospel reading on 'The Last Judgment' further reflects the essence of the love of Christ.

The corporal works of mercy including feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, visiting prisoners, attending to the needs of the marginalized and deprived, are what we are to respond as Christians. We need to go beyond race, culture and religion. In a multi-racial, religious and cultural society like Malaysia, these are precisely the expressions of Christian charity/love.

During this Lenten season, we are reminded of our social responsibilities especially where human dignity is often completely damaged by racial conflicts and violence as in wars.