Listen

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Get away from me, you who will receive terrible things. Go into the unending fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels. I was hungry and you didn’t give me food to eat. I was thirsty and you didn’t give me anything to drink. I was a stranger and you didn’t welcome me. I was naked and you didn’t give me clothes to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?’ Then he will answer, ‘I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.’”

Matthew 25:41-45

Think

Mister Rogers, the beloved television personality and Presbyterian pastor, encouraged his listeners to “look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Today’s parable is a plea to help, to be an active part of the solution rather than adding to the problem. What we do in this lifetime matters.

Sadly, we live in a society where help is needed, across all platforms. People are suffering, desperate, sick, isolated, judged, and feared.

Luckily, we live in a society where help is given. People share what they have, motivate others to do the same, and work towards a vision for a better tomorrow. There is hope where there are helpers.

While the pandemic limits some of our social activities, it needn’t restrict our spiritual ones. We can still be helpers, imagining some creative ways to adjust and reinvent the ways to help where there is a need. Let’s get to it. Let’s be helpers. For the love of Christ, let’s be helpers.

Aram Bae

Pray

God of action and hope, I want to be part of the solution to positive change. I want to help a friend and neighbor. Inspire within me creativity, willingness, and joy – so that I may be a helper who makes a difference, all in the name of your faith and love. Amen.

Go

May Jesus the Christ bless you and keep you.

May Jesus the Christ smile upon you and be gracious towards you.

And may Jesus the Christ lead you on this day in the path of wisdom and peace.

And all of God’s people said,

Amen.