The Gospel today illustrates two distinct groups, described as goats and sheep, distinguished by their attitude toward “the least.” The reality is, most of us are both.
The sheep go to His right, are declared blessed, and inherit the kingdom prepared for them. The goats, on the other hand, aren’t quite as fortunate. They go to His left, are declared accursed, and downgraded to eternal fire.
Each of us has been in situations where we fed, clothed, visited, and cared for the least, and other situations when we drove past, looked away, or pretended not to see someone asking for food, work, or help.
Perhaps the passage today is intended not so much to warn of the final judgement, but to alert us to a chance to see ourselves from the eyes of “the least.” Maybe it’s pushing us to look at our choices and how they affect others. Perhaps the passage invites us to approach each person and circumstance as Jesus would. Maybe doing so will help us examine our consciences more care-
fully as we journey through this Lent.
What does this Gospel passage mean to you?
