separates the sheep from the goats, so will he do with them, placing the sheep on his right
hand and the goats on his left.
The king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, blessed of my Father! Take possession of the
kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me.
I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me
into your home. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison,
and you came to see me.’
Then the righteous will ask him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and give you food; thirsty,
and give you something to drink; or a stranger, and welcome you; or naked, and clothe you?
When did we see you sick, or in prison, and go to see you?’ The king will answer, ‘Truly I say
to you: just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it to me.’
Reflect
Each of us – clergy, religious, or lay, married or single, young or old – is called to be holy
because God, in whose image we are made, is holy. But what does it mean to be holy? What
does a holy life look like?
Today’s readings teach us that holiness is not so much a state of being as it is a state of doing.
God has made us to be holy. He gives us his grace to aid us on the path that leads us to that
holiness, but we must choose and act in accord with God’s will. Only we can decide to treat
our neighbors with justice, compassion, and fairness. We can reach out to those in need, offering
food, drink, shelter, clothing, and the gift of our presence. We can offer mercy and forgiveness
when we have been hurt. Such actions are not simply steps on the path to holiness. By loving
and serving our neighbors wholeheartedly, we love and serve the God who is the source of all
holiness.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023