Judgement Day

Matthew 25:31-46 has to be one of the most challenging Gospel passages.
It is the gut check of Gospel passages.  Jesus tells us what we will have to do to get into heaven.  There is no middle ground.  Either we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, care for the ill, and visit the imprisoned, and inherit the Kingdom of God, or we don't do those things and depart into the eternal fire.

Those who cared for the poor and outcasts, didn't even realize that they are doing it for Jesus. 
They performed the corporal works of mercy for others because it came from who they are.  They had been transformed from ordinary people into people who are like Jesus.  Likewise those who failed to care for the poor and outcasts failed to see Jesus in those that were the "least of these" in society.

It is challenging to me because I always know that I can do more.  
There is always someone who needs help, while there always seems to be plenty at our home.  We are certainly not wealthy, but we have never been short on food, clothing, shelter, education, and many of the benefits of our society.  So I am nagged by the knowledge that I have all that I need, and many other people in the world, even here in Appleton do not.

I keep a bobber on my desk.
It is a standard red and white, plastic fishing bobber, but it is a reminder of a man who I met.  He had lost everything, lived on the streets in Appleton.  But then, at the end of his life received dignity from our community through the warming shelter and other programs in town.  The bobber is a reminder to me to be open to reaching out to those who need food, clothing, shelter, safe drinking water, healing, or a kind word.

We all need the poor to vouch for us to get into heaven.
If I were to line up all the people who I have helped, those I gave food, clothing, shelter, visited, etc. and then lined up all those who I have failed to help, either because they were out of sight, lived in a different country, or I looked right past them and failed to see their need,  I wonder which line would be longer.