Matthew 25: 31-46
In the passage, we are reminded that how we spend our time and whom we actively love and do not love provides a diagnostic tool to help us evaluate our spiritual health.
Verse 40 says, “When you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, members of my family, you did it to me.”
Who is the one of the least of these?
Yes, we cannot help everyone, but the questions I would like to pose to each one of us today are these: Where do we find God’s presence these days? Can we see the face of Jesus Christ in others, especially those who do not look like us, do not think like us, and do not pray like us?
In today’s passage, Jesus still invites us to see the face of God by looking into the face of one of the least of these, the vulnerable, the weak, and the children.
Imagine that if we are going to face a final test of one question in front of God, what that question is to be. I assume God may ask us this question, “Do you love your neighbor as yourself?”
The passage speaks to us, “God is alone, but stays there with those who feel lonely in a big empty house. God is alone, but stays in prison with a criminal because they are still a human being. God is alone, but stays with those who are hungry and sleep on the streets. God is alone, but stays with those who are sick in the hospital, nursing home, or at home. God who is alone invites each of us to visit someone and to offer something to those who are in need.”
Akin to measuring weight or blood pressure, the passage is a good tool to measure our relationship with God and our neighbors.
If we cannot share freely and fully, if we do not make ourselves available to do so, or if we cannot see the face of Christ in others, it indicates that we are not healthy and whole, reminding us it is time to reset our goal in order to become a healthy Christian.
Let’s keep seeing God’s presence in the one of the least of these, all who are hungry, thirsty, naked, and sick.
Let’s keep seeing the face of Jesus Christ in others, especially those who are outside of our comfort zone—who do not look like us, do not think like us, and do not pray like us. Amen.