Scripture:
Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18
Matthew 25:31-46
Reflection:
Justice, mercy, honesty, and self-sacrificing service – these are the themes of Christian discipleship throughout Scripture, and very pointedly today. The reading from Leviticus gives an entire list of “shall nots” – we are not to lie, cheat, steal, show partiality, or harbor hate, and we are not to “stand by idly when your neighbor’s life is at stake.” The section ends with a “shall”: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”
Jesus reiterated this command to love your neighbor, calling it the Second Greatest Commandment (after loving God with everything you’ve got.) To describe the neighbor whom we are to love and whose life we are to defend, Jesus used the Good Samaritan parable, illustrating that everyone, even a person of different ethnicity and social class, is our neighbor, and we are not to “stand idly by” watching their suffering. In today’s Gospel, Jesus emphasizes that theme again in the Last Judgment narrative. Whatever we do to others (positive or negative), and especially what we do to the least and most marginalized, we do to Jesus himself. As Pope Francis recently taught, our responsibility to love others doesn’t end at our own doorway or family circle; it is universal.
It is starkly clear: We have a God-given mandate to feed hungry and thirsty people, care for the oppressed and outcast, welcome strangers in our land, clothe those without clothing, serve those without support (scriptural examples are widows and orphans but there are many others in our time) and care for even criminals in prison. None of these commands ever say it’s OK to judge whether recipients are “worthy” of our aid or can do anything for us in return. No, we are to give freely and generously, recognizing that we are all neighbors to each other. To put it bluntly, we are to live as Jesus did. Wow! Those are tall orders!
It’s especially challenging to live out these non-negotiable mandates of discipleship, as many people worldwide revert to padding their own interests and pocketbooks at the expense of others. Those whom Jesus commanded us to love are largely going unloved, underserved, and suffering, and their plight is only getting worse. As people of faith, we can’t “stand idly by”.
Of course, if anything is going to change in my world, I have to change myself first. So in what ways am I looking after my own interests, failing to work for better treatment for those who have no voice, or even perpetuating the injustices? How often am I standing idly by while others are suffering and in need? And what can I do about it this Lent? Can I give more to organizations that serve the hungry, immigrant, oppressed, war victims, and imprisoned? Can I write Congressional representatives to insist they pass laws reflecting Gospel justice? Can I become more involved in activities here in my own community that advocate for and serve these marginalized people? How can I join with others to make our voices heard?
I wish I had the answers as I search for effective ways to act. I don’t. But I won’t give up. I’m determined to stand up for Gospel values, the mercy of God, the service that Jesus lived for, and the values that he died for. Jesus stands in front of each of us right now, dividing us into sheep and goats. To which side will he send me? To which side will he send you?
Amy Florian is a teacher and consultant working in Chicago. For many years she has partnered with the Passionists. Visit Amy’s website: http://www.corgenius.com/.