Sixty-second reflection: March 7

Today is the first Monday in Lent, and today's Gospel is always one that scares the livin' daylights out of me. Am I a sheep or am I a goat? Not to mention words like "accursed" and "eternal punishment." So in Lectio Divina I had to slow down, take deep breaths (and swigs of coffee), and God did show me something. This was the passage that struck me:

‘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?’ 

They were already doing it.

In the parable the king said to the people on his right that they were blessed by the Father and set to inherit the Kingdom. He told them when he was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, in prison, they took care of him - but they still asked "now, when did we do that?" They were already taking care of the people who needed help, and in the process they were doing these things for the Lord.

This might seem a little simplistic, but to me today it boiled down to what's in my heart. Am I stingy, or am I generous? Am I looking out for me, or for others? Am I turned in and only caring if I am personally suffering? Or am I turned out so I can see other people suffering? It's a lesson I need to learn, and tout suite, because there are a lot of suffering people out there who need help. And as I've told many priests in confession before: it feels like I should be doing a lot more than just writing a check.

How does today's Gospel challenge you personally?

Full readings here.