Matthew 25: 31-40
Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘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.’"
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Encountering Jesus
Sometimes this can be a challenging Gospel. We might remember moments when we failed to see Christ in others – times when we chose to ignore rather than welcome someone, or to marginalize rather than include them.
Yet this Gospel is not simply something to challenge us – it is an invitation. Today, Jesus invites us to make ourselves available to truly encounter others.
Pope Francis often spoke about the importance of developing a culture of encounter. To truly encounter someone means connecting with them on a personal and spiritual level. This type of connection pushes back against apathy and superficiality. Instead, it allows us to know our fellow brothers and sisters more deeply and to treat each other respectfully, knowing that we are made in the image and likeness of God.
Let us pray for the courage to encounter others while creating a sense of belonging, welcoming all as they come.
—Brian Kemper, SJ, is a Jesuit scholastic of the Midwest Province currently studying philosophy at the ITESO, the Jesuit University of Guadalajara, Mexico.
Prayer
Lord,
You sent your servant Peter Claver
To walk among our suffering brothers and sisters.
Today, we ask you to help us follow
In his example of service and love
For Jesus.
Help us to encounter those around us,
Leaving no one behind.
Amen.
—Brian Kemper, SJ
Pray with the Pope
Pray with the monthly prayer intentions of the pope.