This week’s gospel reading (Matthew 25:31-46) is yet again
one which may cause us to have some self-reflective thoughts about our lives.
It is the story that immediately follows the one of the ten
bridesmaids and the talents. Both of which caused us to think about sharing
with others or exploiting others. In this story there is a judgment which
divides people.
Just to be clear . . . I not equating this with actual
futuristic events but I am reading it as a story which is telling the audience
how they should behave. The author of the gospel firstly conveyed the message
through parable and now though apocalyptic literature.
In the story the people are divided into those who cared for
the poor, the sick, the hungry, the prisoners and those who didn’t. It is an
appropriate reading for this Sunday which the church celebrates as the “Reign
of Christ”. It is the final Sunday of
the church’s calendar. Next week the cycle restarts with Advent. The Reign of
Christ is the triumphant end of the church’s year. Yet, the reading gives it a
real twist, the Realm of Christ is not about pomp and circumstance but about
caring for others.
It is also Thanksgiving week in America. A time where
traditionally, those who are able, join their families and give thanks for all
they have. Of course, there is an underside to Thanksgiving historically with
the memory of the slaughter of many thousands of native people. In addition,
Thanksgiving has become a huge time for buying and spending. Again this reading
may be a timely reminder.
So, bearing in mind both that we are celebrating the Reign
of Christ and Thanksgiving I want to share a few thoughts that I had as I read
the passage.
The first thought was that in the story the gathering is of
all nations. It is always amazing how lines drawn on maps (and borders) can
cause so much trouble in the world. Nations against nations! Here all the
nations are gathered. We often lose this thought as it is an opening line. We
don’t often dwell on it, simply seeing it as setting the scene. Yet, even at
the time it was penned, this would have been quite a stunning opening. It would
have got the audience’s attention, even send a ripple of shock. All the
nations, even those who have been seen as enemies, are included.
The second thought is about interconnectedness and the care
of all people. In this story all people are interconnected. In this story what is
done to one is perceived as being done for another. We do not exist in
isolation. We cannot ignore what is going on around us. I am still trying to
think through the implications of this. It brought to mind the famous words
penned by King in Letter from Birmingham
Jail. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
The third and final thought is about the actual care of the
poor, sick, lonely and prisoners. There is a message for us in that. Do we
treat people differently? Would we be more willing to help someone who is in a
position of power? Do we help those who are poor, hungry, in prison? This story
isn’t about doing something for “the king” but about how the poor, sick,
lonely, prisoners are treated.
Of course, the issue is not a simple. It is an issue Andy
and I wrestle with constantly in our conversations in our hot tub. With our decision
to be foster carers we see all sides of life. Many of the children are removed
from situations of poverty. Yet, their mothers continue to have more children.
It is not unusual to see young women in their twenties with six or seven little
ones and no emotional or physical resources to care for them. It raises questions
about how resources are spent. What is the best way to help? Yet, this gospel
story gives us a clear mandate, to care and to help.
Sadly, two or three of our former foster children are now in
gaol. It is usually the ones who come to us as a “last resort”. They are
already embarked on a life of drug related crime. Yet, their stories are so
sad. Does prison really help? We have been watching a bizarre British programme
called, “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here”. It usually runs for about three
weeks every November. This year ten celebrities were divided into two groups of
five. One group was in the camp, the other group in the “Slammer” (gaol). The
slammer was an outdoor camp with bars all around. (Actually we noted that the
gate was not locked!) The prisoners never left it for a few days. It really
struck me how tense and emotionally draining it was for the five imprisoned
there. Even though they knew they could opt out at any moment, they were
depressed, bored, anxious and described it an emotional rollercoaster. As I
listened to them, it made me wonder what it must be like to be in that
situation (in much smaller rooms) with no control over one’s life.
So as often happens
in a gospel story, this one leaves us feeling faintly disturbed. Yet, there is hope,
as we care for those around us we can see that seed of Christ in each human
being. Our lives are a little richer as we make new friends and recognize that
the realm of God is composed of us all together. We see with new eyes all we
have to be thankful for. As you celebrate Reign of Christ and Thanksgiving have
a blessed time.
