Jesus has taught that self-giving care for others is the heart of the revealed will of God. He lived out his teaching that his kingdom consists of service to others.
The question becomes: who are the “least of these?”
The fundamental thrust of this scene is that when people respond to human need, or fail to respond, they are in fact responding, or failing to respond, to Christ. Today’s scripture invites the listener to consider not just acts of mercy or service but also a deeper dimension of our acts of human compassion.
The scripture reading this day comes from the Gospel of Matthew chapter 25 verses 35 through 40:
‘I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’
“Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
“Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’
For the Word of God in scripture, for the Word of God among us, and for the Word of God within us we say…Thanks be to God.
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