In the parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31 to 46) Jesus divides the nations based on how they treated the poor, the hurting and the destitute. The reason behind that always intrigued me until one day the Spirit brought enlightment. He revealed that it was the basic expression of a person who is saved. A person who is devoid of those works does not understand (know) what he has been saved from nor has truly experienced God’s goodness in salvation.
I was hungry, naked and blind before I came to the cross. I was a wretched man with nothing good in me and too helpless to redeem myself. I was a prisoner bound by the shackles of sin. It was then the glorious light of the Lord Jesus shone on my wretched state. He set me free from my captivity. He clothed me with garments of righteousness and made me drink from the well springs of salvation. He satisfied my soul’s longing and poured oil on my wounds and healed me. How could I then not do the same to my fellow brethren drawing with joy from the wellsprings of salvation? How could I ever forget His great love?
Dear saint have you experienced the depths of His salvation? Did you know that you were naked and blind once or do you still have your filthy rags on? Did you realize your miserable state before coming to the cross? Is your life a living expression of His mercy and grace towards you?
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
Prayer of St Francis of Assisi
