Introduction
It is interesting to note that in Jesus’ discourse about the ‘great judgement’ both the ’sheep’ and the ‘goats’ are surprised by their judgement – both positive and negative. Given the Hebrew Bible’s frequent mention of God’s role as the judge of humanity – particularly in the prophetic books – why should anyone be surprised by judgement?
Context
An inspiring (and ongoing) account of someone who has gone in search of the ‘least’.
The work of the Emmaus organisation is always worth learning about.
An uplifting story of a grandfather who spends time with the tiniest of the ‘least’.
An Oxford college fights elitism by being socially inclusive.
Reflection
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ discourse on the final judgement is his last teaching to his disciples. Is this not significant? It is as though Jesus were saying: ‘Whatever else you recall of my life and teachings, remember this!’ In many ways, Matthew 25 is a fitting ‘bookend’ (or inclusio - Bible scholar's technical word for it) with the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7), and which has been referred to as the ‘Manifesto of Christ’. Here, in his last teaching, is the distillation of Jesus’ life and teaching: relationships with, and care for, all people – however insignificant they might seem.
As mentioned above, both those at the Lord’s right hand and his left hand are surprised by the judgement they receive – but with a subtle difference. The ‘sheep’ are those who have gone about their lives treating those in need with compassion – without fanfare and without needing to be told. The surprise shown by the ‘goats’ is that of those whose complacency is shaken to the core: ‘When did we ever see you in need, Lord? Why didn’t you tell us it was you?!’
However we might conceive of the ‘great Judgement’ – i.e. whether it takes place in this life or afterwards – Jesus makes clear that we will each be judged on the outworking of our attitude towards others and the way we have treated them.
We are in the process of becoming forever what we are freely choosing and loving most right now. In the same way that we can perceive light from distant stars, which are long extinguished, so too our words and actions live long after we have said and done them. That might well be judgement enough!
Prayer
This could be used after the Gospel reading or after the sermon.
‘Lord, when was it we saw you…?’ How might we answer this question to you, our Lord and Maker? (Keep silence) Nearly all of us will have at least one specific time, with one specific person, that we wish we had spoken out, or had been more welcoming, or more supportive, more helpful. Lord of the insignificant, forgive us our inaction. (Keep silence)
‘Lord, when was it we saw you hungry or thirsty?’ (Keep silence) In urban settings, soup kitchens and food banks are now the norm. Even so, it is still not difficult to see people begging. Gracious Lord, even your disciples balked at feeding a multitude with five loaves and two fish. Yet you call us to share of what we have; not what we lack. Lord, give us generous hearts. (Keep silence)
‘Lord, when was it we saw you a stranger or naked?’ (Keep silence) Not since the middle of the last century has the world seen so many refugees and displaced persons. Wars, famine and persecution have caused a seismic shift in our human family. Compassionate Lord, teach us your unflinching obedience to the law of love and open our hearts to the suffering and loneliness of those around us. (Keep silence)
‘Lord, when did we see you ill or in prison?’ (Keep silence) In modern Western society we generally institutionalise those who are ill or have been convicted of wrong-doing. Unless our lives are directly affected, we must make an effort to visit those within our institutions; otherwise they go unnoticed by most of us. Lord, you have called the ‘least’ of society your brothers and sisters. Impel our hearts to seek those who are behind bars or languishing in nursing homes, that we might offer a kindly human presence to those who feel forgotten and uncared for. (Keep silence)
God, our Creator and our Judge, may we never be counted among those who never saw you among the ‘insignificant’ masses. Grant us courage and clear vision to live according to your law of love, seeing all whom we meet as sisters and brothers. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Questions
I worked as a prison chaplain for seven years. In succeeding years, only once did I knowingly encounter a former inmate. In the event, he stopped me on the street, saw my both my surprise—and perplexity when I did not recognise him—and then exclaimed that I had helped him so much and he felt that I needed to know that. In fact, I did need to know that; but I am particularly happy that my surprise was a good report.
With reference to Matthew 25: ‘Lord, when did we see you…?’, what about your life experiences? Have you ever been ‘re-visited’ by past actions or words – from work, school or private life? How did it happen? Were you surprised by what you heard? Did it make a difference?
Action
Invite someone from your nearest Emmaus organisation to talk about homelessness and how it impacts people in your area. Find out how you as individuals or a church community can help – for example, read about ‘Operation Backpack’, and idea from Gloucestershire:
Young people
Do an internet search for organisations that serve the socially excluded: the homeless, hungry, prisoners and ex-prisoners, etc. Share and discuss what you discover, including differences between organisations serving the same population. What can you learn from this? Are there any organisations that you or your youth group could support?
Jack Lawson is a retired Mission Enabler for the East Anglia District of the Methodist Church, but continues to lecture in Hebrew Bible and is a free-lance author. He is the author of the novel Doing Time which is based on his years as a chaplain in a southern US women’s prison.
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