Thoughts for the Day

* Picture - Last Judgement (unknown)

'When the Son of Man comes in his glory.....he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the the king will say to those at his right hand, "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me."

The the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?" And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

This is one of the most wonderful of all the parables that Jesus left us. We only have half of it here, but it describes those who are considered 'righteous' in God's eyes.

When we give pasta and cereals, or tea and coffee to a local food bank to help those who are hungry we are giving it as though to God. When we helped at a night shelter, or gave to the Christmas appeal for those on the streets, we were helping God. When we clear out our cupboards and give our clothes to charity, or give away a good coat we don't need, we are doing it as though to God. When we pray for the sick, when we remember a lonely neighbour, or shop for the elderly, we do it to God! This parable give us much to think about!

My blessings and heartfelt thanks go to all whom God considers as 'righteous' at this moment in time.

Lord Jesus,
You taught the people that when
they were generous and loving
to those who needed them,
it was as thought they were
doing it to You.
May we learn to reassess our lives,
and everything we do,
remembering that we do it to You.
Amen.