2 March 2020 - the least of these

Today's Readings

(Audio)

‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’

How different our lives would surely be if we took these words to heart! If we truly saw Jesus present in our brothers and sisters, especially in the lowest and the least, those who don't attract us, who have nothing to give that we want how would our priorities change?

God has always shown his desire to protect the disadvantaged.

You shall not curse the deaf,
or put a stumbling block in front of the blind,
but you shall fear your God.

He insists that there on justice rather than taking into account a man's standing in society.

Show neither partiality to the weak nor deference to the mighty,
but judge your fellow men justly.

He is calling us to act as he would act, to love as he would love.

Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.

We cannot be holy on our own. We are called not only to be holy like God is holy but especially to be holy by the grace he gives us to be holy. He himself is the one has a heart for the lowest and the least. We need him to make his heart our own.

We see how this happens with the conversion of Saint Paul.

And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting (see Acts 9:5).

Jesus reveals to us the ways in which we fail to love. As with Paul, this is not simply so that we feel bad and beat ourselves up. It is so that we open ourselves to the healing and transformation which he desires for each of us.

Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. (see Acts 9:17)

The LORD said that Paul "is a chosen instrument of mine" and this is true of each of us. But we, like Paul, are no good to the mission if we can't see it. Let us pray that the LORD gives each of us the eyes to see his presence in all people.

And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight (see Acts 9:18).

The words of Jesus themselves can purify our eyes and open our hearts outward in love.

The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart.
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.