Daily Devotional for December 23

​

December 23                                         Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus' image of judgment is much different from the ones we
may hold. The amount of money given to our church, the
power and wealth we have accumulated, the titles we have
achieved, our stature in the community, our beliefs -- none
of these things will count for anything. Rather, each of us will
be singled out in turn and challenged about our relationship
with the poor, the hungry, the imprisoned, and the physically
afflicted. For "as you did it to one of the least of these my
sisters and brothers, you did it to me."

What would it mean in my life if I were to commit myself to
the impoverished and needy, the sick and imprisoned, the
helpless and homeless, the physically handicapped and the
mentally disabled? Surely it would mean more than merely
putting a dollar in the Christmas basket of the Salvation Army
volunteer, or buying tickets to a concert to benefit the poor,
or an occasional prayer for those less fortunate than we are.
Charity calls on us to speak out against sinful systems that
create poverty, disease, war, and injustice. It calls on us not
only to feed the hungry, but to provide for their future
independence from us. It calls on us to adopt a way of life
that expresses our solidarity with those we seek to serve.

Christ calls us to great things, it is true, but what Jesus considers
as great seems minor in the eyes of much of our society.
Greatness in Jesus lies in helping "the least of these."

   Just and Great judge, help me today to recognize and
               serve you in "the least of these." Amen.

​

From The Road to Emmaus - An inclusive devotional Edited by Joseph W. Houle

Emmaus House of Prayer - Washington D.