Christ The King / Proper 29
Devotional
Water From the Well
Lectionary Devotional For Cycle A
Object:
... Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink?
-- Matthew 25:37
This parable has evoked the compassion of Christians throughout the world and captured the imagination of even those outside the faith. There are several challenging features of this parable that should be noted. First, there is the suggestion that we are not talking about just the believers but all people. This is more than an individual standing before God. It is clear that it is the nations, not just individuals, that are gathered. We are talking about a worldwide perspective. Second, those who are welcomed into the kingdom have focused on deeds of mercy and not on correct religious beliefs. Those who were blessed for their deeds were not even aware that they were serving God. As we are confronted by the religious pluralism of our world, it is significant that the parable suggests how nations treat their less fortunate may determine their fate before God.
There is even the suggestion that we may be talking about national survival since the consequence of having failed to do deeds of mercy resulted in the nation's destruction. In this vision of the last judgment, loving your neighbor is the way you demonstrate love of God. "Truly I tell you, just as you did do it to the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." For many, this has caused them to see Christ in the stranger. This image is fulfilled in the resurrection story on the road to Emmaus when the stranger they invited to stay with them turned out to be Christ. Finally, it should be noted that the king of the parable refers to all creation as members of his family. While religion, race, and nationality may divide us, in God's eyes we are all of one family. (See also Acts 17:26.) A good family is both sensitive to and generous in sharing their resources with the ones who are most needy.
-- Matthew 25:37
This parable has evoked the compassion of Christians throughout the world and captured the imagination of even those outside the faith. There are several challenging features of this parable that should be noted. First, there is the suggestion that we are not talking about just the believers but all people. This is more than an individual standing before God. It is clear that it is the nations, not just individuals, that are gathered. We are talking about a worldwide perspective. Second, those who are welcomed into the kingdom have focused on deeds of mercy and not on correct religious beliefs. Those who were blessed for their deeds were not even aware that they were serving God. As we are confronted by the religious pluralism of our world, it is significant that the parable suggests how nations treat their less fortunate may determine their fate before God.
There is even the suggestion that we may be talking about national survival since the consequence of having failed to do deeds of mercy resulted in the nation's destruction. In this vision of the last judgment, loving your neighbor is the way you demonstrate love of God. "Truly I tell you, just as you did do it to the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." For many, this has caused them to see Christ in the stranger. This image is fulfilled in the resurrection story on the road to Emmaus when the stranger they invited to stay with them turned out to be Christ. Finally, it should be noted that the king of the parable refers to all creation as members of his family. While religion, race, and nationality may divide us, in God's eyes we are all of one family. (See also Acts 17:26.) A good family is both sensitive to and generous in sharing their resources with the ones who are most needy.
