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“’For I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’”

Matthew 25:42–43, MEV

Jesus’ teaching points us to the importance of caring for those in need. As followers of Christ, it is our calling to care for and ensure that our fellow brothers and sisters are cared for. We are the bringers of hope and bearers of the Good News. This is the calling of all of us as believers. Our lack of concern for our neighbor is translated as a lack of care for Jesus. It is in our service to others; we serve our Lord. Our service, however, is not to be equated with our salvation, only to our hearts for the Lord and the activity of our faith. If we have no faith, these words are either powerless or feel like a harsh judgment and a way to make us feel guilty, but in Christ it is a mirror to point out areas in which our hearts have been hardened and a way to soften us in the care for our neighbor and to show Christ’s love more fully in our lives so we may lead others into our Lord’s peace.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.