Sheep and Goats
God on Monday
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‘I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ (Matthew 25.35-36)
Reflection
For eight years, my husband and I lived on a small homestead, raised some of our own food, and kept chickens and a herd of goats. My husband, who loved the goats, used to point out to me that in the Bible sheep often get praised and goats get condemned.
This is what happens in the parable cited from above. The Son of Man judges between the sheep, who have helped out the vulnerable (the ’least of these’) in various ways, and the goats, who have not. The sheep are welcomed into the kingdom, and the goats are cast into outer darkness.
If we were in charge of the final judgement, we may feel we would not set it up in this way. Perhaps we would let into the kingdom those we knew and were comfortable being around. Or perhaps we would ask folks to answer some questions about their beliefs before they are allowed into the kingdom.
But Jesus says here that those who will be welcomed into the kingdom are those who helped people in need, and that in helping people in need we are seeing and serving Christ himself.
When we think about helping the needy, it may initially seem to be an overwhelming task. We may feel we cannot be of much help whilst we are holding down a demanding job and pursuing a career.
The good news, however, is that we can begin to help the needy through our ordinary daily work, paid or unpaid. We can look for Christ in others; we can speak with love; we can help those who are struggling; we can look for opportunities to do good. And we can do this whatever our work consists of - even if it is farming goats.
Response
How can you serve ‘the least of these’ through your daily work?
How can you see Christ in those whom you serve?
Prayer
Lord, show me your face in the face of the hungry and thirsty, the stranger; the prisoner; the homeless, and in all the needy people I interact with this week. Amen.
This Week's Author
Jennifer Woodruff Tait, Web editor, Theology of Work Project; also a priest in the Episcopal Church (USA)
God on Monday is produced in partnership with the Church of England. The reflections are based on the scriptural readings designated for the next Sunday in the Church's lectionary. You can sign up to Faith in Business here to receive each God on Monday instalment.
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