Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
SUNDAY, November 20 Last Sunday after Pentecost Christ the King
Matthew 25:31-46. Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.…just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.
Jesus did not tell this parable to the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, or the imprisoned. Had he been speaking to them, he might have told a different story. Jesus told this story to the disciples, and the meaning can hardly be more clear: the disciples are to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, heal the sick, and visit those in prison.
But what if it’s their own fault that some of these people are in bad straits? What if they deserve to be where they are? And what if they misuse what we give them? Jesus doesn’t address those questions, because the story isn’t about the needy, but about the disciples. The disciples have no business sorting the deserving from the undeserving—if there’s sorting to be done, God will do it. Jesus here identifies himself with all the needy, both the deserving and the undeserving. The disciples need ask themselves one question only: did you give or did you not?
PRAY for the Dioceses of Virginia and West Virginia (Province III, USA)View the daily Lectionary Readings at http://satucket.com/lectionary/
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