Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25:34

Jesus came to establish a special kingdom; a spiritual kingdom, not of this world. It is a kingdom of the heart ruled by the beatitudes and the following of Christ.

The king who comes in judgment in today’s scripture (Matthew 25:34) is none other than Jesus the son of man. Judgment in His kingdom will be levied according to whether we have recognized Him in our neighbors in need by feeding, clothing, housing, refreshing, and consoling them. Thus Jesus insists: “I assure you, as often as you did it to the least of my brothers, you did it to Me.

Remember that those who are condemned in today’s gospel were cast out of the kingdom not only for what they failed to do but for what never occurred to them to do. We must, therefore, choose to do good and to do it in the ways that Jesus tells us. The gospel reminds us that it is the little things that count: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, healing and visiting the sick, giving shelter to the homeless, and burying the dead.

It is the little steps that we take in all these areas that build up God’s kingdom on earth. So, put one foot in front of the other and commit yourself to helping others. You are not just trying to reserve a place for yourself in God’s kingdom; you are also leading others to it as well.

You are following the lead of the Lord Himself who came on earth, not to be served but to serve.

Fr. Hugh Duffy

* * * Do not miss tomorrow’s blog on Compassion * * *