The Book of Leviticus is one of the five books of Moses, more formally known as the 'Pentateuch'. Leviticus focuses on the laws and rituals of the Israelites and their relationship with God. From a Roman Catholic viewpoint, the Book of Leviticus teaches us about the importance of holiness and obedience to God's commands.

Beginning with His calling of Moses to the 'Tent of Meeting', God speaks to the Prophet and gives him clear instructions for the Israelites to follow. The main theme of the book speaks of the holiness of God and the importance of His laws and commands. The book is divided into three main sections: the laws of sacrifice, the laws of holiness, and the laws of the priesthood.

Revealed in the laws of sacrifice, the Israelites were commanded to bring sacrifice to God as a way of atoning for their sins and showing their devotion to Him. The universal Church believes that this sacrificial system foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice, making it possible for us to be forgiven our sins and reconciled with God.

The second section focuses on the laws of holiness. God commands the Israelites to be holy, just as He is holy. This means they were to live a life of obedience to His commands and to avoid sin. The Church teaches that holiness is an essential part of the Christian life. We are all called to be holy, avoiding sin, cultivating virtuous habits and in all things following the teachings of Jesus Christ.

The third section focuses on the laws of the priesthood. The priests, and hence the reference to the tribe of Levi, were responsible for carrying out the sacrificial system and serving as mediators between God and the people. Catholics continue to recognize the importance of the priesthood in the life of the Church. Thus, our priests serve as spiritual leaders, administering the sacraments and guiding the faithful, pastorally and ritually in their journey of faith.

The Book of Leviticus can sometimes seem a dry and pragmatic approach to life and perhaps wholly inflexible. On the other hand we see that in the game of life when we lack a set of basic rules it is hard to even start the game and chaos reigns when it does begin. In the text, God unambiguously emphasizes the importance of obedience to His commands with a clear promise to bless to those who obey and punishment for those who do not.  And, the Catholic Church continues in this day, to confirm that obedience to God's commands is essential for our salvation. We are called as ever, to love God and love our neighbour, living a life of service and charity.