Monday of the First Week of Lent -- February 27, 2012
Matthew 25:37 - 40
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"
Those who extended help and mercy to others are called "the righteous" in this Jesus-story. But they are not righteous by virtue of something they knew that others did not know, or by virtue of trying to make something of themselves.
In fact, they were "righteous" and did not know it. They did not act with generosity toward others because they thought it would earn them a reward or a title. They didn't engage the hurting of their world in order to attain the label of "righteous" or "holy" or "spiritual."
They lived their ordinary lives. Extending themselves to others was a part of the normal pattern of their living. If they were "righteous," I'd call it an "organic righteousness," that is, a way of being that was not manufactured or made up. It was simply who they were on the inside. Their generosity came from their inner make-up, and was expressed in their world of relationships and encounters.
It was so organic within them that they were oblivious to what they had done, oblivious to the significance of it. They were simply living life as they thought life was to be lived, not for reward and not for a label.
Consider today . . . there is no shame in being intentional about our acts of charity and generosity. Most all of us have to intend doing good to others in mercy. The "organic righteousness" comes when we give attention to the inner shape of our lives, when doing good comes so naturally and flows from us so easily that we no longer recognize it. It's just there, and we couldn't stop it if we tried.
Be alert for those in your life-world to whom you can extend a generous, merciful hand.
But also be attentive to your inner life. Do at least one thing today (extended time in prayer, meditation, silence, or an intentional fast) to cultivate a deepening inner grounding in God.
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"
Those who extended help and mercy to others are called "the righteous" in this Jesus-story. But they are not righteous by virtue of something they knew that others did not know, or by virtue of trying to make something of themselves.
In fact, they were "righteous" and did not know it. They did not act with generosity toward others because they thought it would earn them a reward or a title. They didn't engage the hurting of their world in order to attain the label of "righteous" or "holy" or "spiritual."
They lived their ordinary lives. Extending themselves to others was a part of the normal pattern of their living. If they were "righteous," I'd call it an "organic righteousness," that is, a way of being that was not manufactured or made up. It was simply who they were on the inside. Their generosity came from their inner make-up, and was expressed in their world of relationships and encounters.
It was so organic within them that they were oblivious to what they had done, oblivious to the significance of it. They were simply living life as they thought life was to be lived, not for reward and not for a label.
Consider today . . . there is no shame in being intentional about our acts of charity and generosity. Most all of us have to intend doing good to others in mercy. The "organic righteousness" comes when we give attention to the inner shape of our lives, when doing good comes so naturally and flows from us so easily that we no longer recognize it. It's just there, and we couldn't stop it if we tried.
Be alert for those in your life-world to whom you can extend a generous, merciful hand.
But also be attentive to your inner life. Do at least one thing today (extended time in prayer, meditation, silence, or an intentional fast) to cultivate a deepening inner grounding in God.
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