Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Read Matthew 25:31-46 (Click on Button Above)
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
In the early chapters of Matthew's Gospel, Matthew reports on the Sermon on the Mount in which Jesus gathers his disciples and others and lays out the core of his ministry: love, care for, and feed those who are in need. Now, near the close of Matthew's writing, Jesus again states that caring for those in need is the greatest gift we can give. Clearly, for Jesus, who was speaking directly to a people who were under the domination of a foreign power and their own religious leaders - a people who had been living in fear and despair -the message he was bringing was intended to challenge and bring comfort. Love each other. Care for each other. Feed and clothe each other. For God loves you and is calling you to be God's hands and means for sharing this love with each other. This is the alpha and omega - the beginning and the end- of Jesus ministry and teaching during his life on earth.
Note the very basic nature of these six mercies: Food, drink, welcome, clothing, nursing care, and visitation. Every person has the potential to provide these kinds of mercies. One need not be wealthy to buy a hamburger and soft drink for a hungry person. One need not be a nurse to help a sick person. One need not be ordained to visit a prisoner in jail. Earlier, Jesus told a rich man to sell all that he had and to give the money to the poor (19:21), but there is no such overarching demand here. The kinds of mercies that Jesus rewards here are within the reach of every person. They do not require great sacrifice on the part of the mercy-giver, but they do alleviate great pain for the mercy-receiver.
Dick Donovan
May we be doers of the word and not merely hearers of God's word!
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
What stands in your way of living the life to which Jesus calls you?
Reflect on your own spiritual journey.
Read, Pray, Reflect. Then, Come and Share!
Since I post this study on Face Book as well as the St Jerome's website, I invite comments and questions from any of you who are not able to be physically with us, but find this study meaningful and would like to be a part of it. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Bless you all,
Fr Colin Kelly
