“When did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and minister to you?”
Both the “righteous” and those on the “left” were surprise of the outcome of their earthly life. While the righteous wonderful what they did for Jesus that merited them entrance into heaven,” those on the left wondered what they did wrong, “to Jesus” that got them in trouble, got them rejected.
This seems to be a moment of surprise, an oops moment, for both groups. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, puts it well when he said:
“How God will judge my life I know not, but I trust he will see me with mercy and compassion. I am only certain there will be three surprises in Heaven. First of all, I will see some people whom I never expected to see. Second, there will be a number whom I expected who will not be there. And – even relying on God’s mercy – the biggest surprise of all may be that I will be there. When the record of any human life is set down, there are three pairs of eyes who see it in a different light. 1. As I see it. 2. As others see it. As God sees it.”
There is a sort of “uncertainty principle” that prevails in the parable. That is, we cannot know for certain who will and who will not be saved. Salvation is “worked out in fear and trembling” as we read in Philippians 2:12.
During this Lenten journey in particular, and our Christian life in general we know that the imperatives Christian life are the eminent good works of prayer, penance, and almsgiving. These really are good works—works that earn us merit.
Lent is not primarily about giving up fleeting material goods, but rather about gaining permanent spiritual blessings. It is not about giving up treasures on earth, but rather storing up treasures in Heaven.
Hence, the need for the works of Christian charity, kindness, and mercy we have done, or not done, for others, in whom we have actually served, or not served, Christ, knowingly or unknowingly.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “If sometimes our poor people have had to die of starvation, it is not because God didn’t care for them, but because you and I didn’t give, were not instruments of love in the hands of God, to give them that bread, to give them that clothing; because we did not recognize Christ, when once more Christ came in distressing disguise.”
May our Lenten journey reflect God’s mercy and love
Have a wonderful Week
