Gospel – Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him.
And he will separate them one from another,
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right,
‘Come, you who 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 drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply,
‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Then he will say to those on his left,
‘Depart from me, you accursed,
into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
a stranger and you gave me no welcome,
naked and you gave me no clothing,
ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’
Then they will answer and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison,
and not minister to your needs?’
He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you,
what you did not do for one of these least ones,
you did not do for me.’
And these will go off to eternal punishment,
but the righteous to eternal life.”

 

Reflection on the Gospel

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.

“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Today’s Gospel is a favorite among campus ministers. It is often used in prayer or reflection exercises during community service projects. It’s easy to see living out Jesus’ words when working at a soup kitchen, sponsoring a clothing drive, or visiting a nursing home. The need is outward and obvious.

It is more challenging to consider those in need in our community. Those whose pain and suffering often times goes unnoticed—whose pain is often inward and hidden. As Lasallians, we are reminded that we are “always and everywhere” in the presence of God. Today, consider those in your own community who may be the “the least, the last, or the lost.” The student who is sitting by himself or herself in the cafeteria. The teacher who is having a difficult time with a class. The classmate who is having trouble fitting in. The client who is acting out because of something that happened at home the previous night. The college freshmen who can’t find his or her way. The list goes on and is unique as each one of our ministries. Take the time this week to touch the hearts of those right in your midst. And as today’s Gospel proclaims, you’ll be doing it for Jesus.

Mr. Lewis Clark – Director of Mission and Ministry
La Salle College High School – Wyndmoor, PA

Saint John Baptist de La Salle – Pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts – Forever.