A Parable (Based on Matthew 25:31-46)

And God returned to earth in splendor and glory, prepared to judge the sinners and the saints. God called forth all men and women, like a shepherd calls forth the goats and the sheep. And so, all of them were separated, the righteous from the self-righteous. And God spoke to the gathering, “Tell me, you who goes by the name of saint, did you feed me when I was hungry? Give me drink when I was thirsty? Did you clothe me when I was naked? Did you visit me when I was in prison? Welcome me when I was a stranger? Did you love me when I was unlovable?

And those who likened themselves as proper did answer:

“No, Lord, we did not feed you when you were hungry, nor did we give you water when you were thirsty. We did not clothe you when you were naked. We did not visit you when you were in prison or welcome you when you were a stranger. We can’t say as to whether or not we loved you when you were unlovable because we have never been sure if it was you. But,” the saints said, as they straightened their suits and smoothed down the wrinkles in their crisp, starched shirts, lifting their chins in pride, “We can pronounce with certitude that we have kept your kingdom clean. We have removed the misfits and the unfitted, those who could not pay their tithes, and the ones who refuse to sing our hymns. We have turned away the unholy, the unlawful, the addict and we have chased out those who cannot behave with order. We have not allowed the women to preach and we proudly declare that we have always supported the king.” They puffed up with air. “Look at how well we have obeyed your laws!”

Then God spoke to the sinners, those kneeling in contrition at the throne. “What about you? Have you been my gatekeeper? Have you stopped others from entering my reign?”

Then the silent ones did speak. “Lord, we have found no time to put others out because we have been too busy celebrating that we have been permitted in. We have had no opportunity to correct the hearts of others because we have been trying to make right our own hearts. And we confess that we have not paid attention to the credentials of those we have invited to join us because there have been so many who were hungry and needing bread, thirsty and needing water, naked and needing clothes, imprisoned and needing comfort, unfamiliar with kindness and needing a friend, that we have not had time to judge. We are in need of your mercy.”

And God smiled at the sinners and joyfully welcomed them home. And the sinners, though delighted at the favor they had found, begged for the souls of the saints. And God is still considering their request.



You are the light of the world.

Yours,

Lynne