Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18
Matthew 25:31-46
For I was hungry and you gave me food;
I was thirsty and you gave me drink…
There are times and seasons when the Scripture we hear is vivid and is played out right before our eyes. The desperate needs of the people in the war-torn places in our world, the plight of those caught in the cost of living crisis, all cry out to us from this Gospel text. Take a walk in any town centre or turn on your tv or computer and you will see this text made flesh. There are some images which you simply cannot unsee. It’s Christ’s face that we see.
Matthew’s picture of judgement can startle us with its directness. The idea of standing before Christ and having him show me the times that I didn’t recognise his face is very sobering. For me the text is as much about withholding as it is about giving.
Where have I hardened my heart, held on to what I had and not allowed myself to recognise Christ? When have I walked on by because it seemed like too much effort?
Let’s pray for the grace this Lent to see Christ in every circumstance of our lives.