Greetings on this the Monday of the First Week of Lent
Readings: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18; Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15; Matthew 25:31-46
Summary
In today’s gospel portion we encounter an excellent and poor response to the needs of others. The consequences are significant, both for the person in need and those who act or fail to act.
Response A to the question: When did we see you?
Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs? (Matt 25:44).
What is blocking your eyesight?
Response B to the question: When did we see you?
Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you? (Matt 25:37-39).
Which was the Righteous response, A or B?
Perhaps you see no difference with your eyes?
The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye (PS 19:9b).
The answer is B. Why?, just from this we can make that guess?
Their answer contains resolutions, solutions and action.
Hungry -> Feed.
Thirsty -> Drink.
Stranger -> Welcome.
Naked -> Clothe.
Ill -> Visit.
Prison -> Visit.
Response A is unrighteous. It is a short summary of needs and only a vague reference to the action of ‘minister’ to your needs, whatever that may mean. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like (Jas 1:23-24).
Reflection
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another.
Personal Reflection
The LORD said to Moses, “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).
Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like. But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does (Jas 1:22-25).
Today’s Goal
- Let me be a doer of the word. Let me not forget what I look like and what the needs of others are – and just walk away!
- Rather embrace the persons in their true needs. You don’t see the need if you cannot imagine a solution you can provide.
- Pick an item from the list to try and do today:
- Hungry -> Feed.
- Thirsty -> Drink.
- Stranger -> Welcome.
- Naked -> Clothe.
- Ill -> Visit.
- Prison -> Visit.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031025.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
May Allah bless you 🙏🏻💞
Thank you!! May he be praised now and forever.