Monday, March 02, 2020
Old Testament: Leviticus 19:1–2,11–18
Gospel: Matthew 25:31–46
Psalm 19:7–14
“‘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.’ Then 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.’” from Matthew 25
This Gospel has always held special meaning to me. It comes around in a 3-year cycle, but it somehow comes to me at times I need most. It was the Gospel I heard when I visited an Episcopal Church for the first time. It was the Gospel I heard when I visited St. Andrew’s for the first time. I’ve heard various clergy reflect on this though the years, but I especially remember hearing Deacon Gerri Aston preach on it, saying “…this isn’t the stuff we do to rack up brownie points in heaven, it’s what we’re CALLED to do.”
Part of my 2019 Lenten discipline and discernment was to put down deeper roots with The Abbey worshipping community. When the retail coffee shop closed, a daily breakfast ministry began, offering a ‘pay-as-you-can’ breakfast to anyone coming through the doors. I was blessed to serve breakfast and share time with Julian, Josh, Arnold, David, and Jacob. I learned their stories. I told them my story. It was through these breakfast conversations that I truly met Jesus on the margins.
Individually and corporately, we are called to help those in need. I am overjoyed to see this being put into action in our community — at The Abbey, serving breakfast; at Community Kitchens, serving hot meals; at St. Andrew’s, providing groceries and social services through the Food Pantry project. The EfM community provides a hot meal to the students at Trinity Commons twice during the academic year.
Although this particular reading only comes around in cycles, the whole crux of this Gospel is reinforced in our Baptismal Covenant:
Celebrant Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People: I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People: I will, with God’s help.
When we stand and say these words in a few weeks at the Easter Vigil, I challenge you to listen carefully, and respond very intentionally. Hold these words in the context of Matthew 25, and step into the margins.
Gerald Wildes
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