Do’s and Don’ts
“Speak to the whole assembly of the children of Israel and tell them: Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.” – Lv 19:1-2
As a young child I was often told by my parents, “don’t be mean!” and “don’t touch that!” – among other “don’t” statements – which made me think that to be a good person, I simply had to sit tight and “not mess it up.” The first reading from Leviticus echoes this “don’t do this” attitude, as the Lord commands the children of Israel with a slew of “You shall not…” statements. But as I grew a little older, the rhetoric coming from my parents changed to “be nice to your sister!” and “can you help with this?” – instead of a “don’t” attitude, I noticed a “do” attitude. This positive framing is aptly seen in Jesus’ teaching to His disciples in the Gospel – in my view, Jesus treats His disciples as more mature, showing that the children of Israel have grown up a little. As I grow, I hope to remember that this world needs that “do” attitude as much as it needs the “don’t” attitude, both for the glory of God, and for our good.
Jesus, I ask that You grant me the grace not to mess it up, and to do Your will in all things. Amen.
– Ignatius