Good evening, everyone...
Welcome to Brothers and Sisters, the weekly meetup for prayer* and community at Daily Kos. We put an asterisk on pray* to acknowledge that not everyone uses conventional religious language, but may want to share joys and concerns, or simply take solace in a meditative atmosphere. Anyone who comes in the spirit of mutual respect, warmth and healing is welcome.
This was the Gospel today at Mass...
Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus said to his disciples:
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him.
And he will separate them one from another,
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right,
'Come, you who 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 drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
'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?’
And the king will say to them in reply,
'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Then he will say to those on his left,
'Depart from me, you accursed,
into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
a stranger and you gave me no welcome,
naked and you gave me no clothing,
ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’
Then they will answer and say,
'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison,
and not minister to your needs?’
He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you,
what you did not do for one of these least ones,
you did not do for me.’
And these will go off to eternal punishment,
but the righteous to eternal life."
I am always in awe of the human capacity to care for others... and also in the human capacity to just ignore or treat others as if they were less. I appreciate those who love and share what they have regardless of religious affiliation, because I believe that we are meant to take care of each other.
Unfortunately, everyone doesn't see the world this way... and it is both sad and infuriating. Sad in that there are needs not being met... and infuriating that there are people who feel like this is okay. Need is not about laziness or getting what you deserve. People who have plenty aren't necessarily being blessed for their goodness, while poor people are being punished for some sin. It doesn't work this way-- and people who think that it does have totally missed the point.
(On a related note, thank you to all who share with others at holiday times, so everyone can share in the joy of food and family... please remember that many of these same people will be hungry again in December and January and February... check in with your local food banks for what they need at other times of the year as well.)
I am thankful to be surrounded mostly by people who believe in taking care of each other and meeting needs as they are found.
Peace...
dee