When We Serve, We See Jesus

Scripture Focus and Reading: Matthew 25:31-45

A Visit from the King

Once, a devoted woman spent days preparing her home for a visit from Jesus. She cooked, cleaned, and ensured everything was perfect. Just as she completed her preparations, a poor, dirty beggar appeared at her door, asking for food and water.

Annoyed, she replied, “Go away. I have an important guest coming.” And with that, she turned him away.

Not long after, Jesus arrived. He looked at her with sadness and said, “You’ve already turned me away today.” Confused, the woman listened as Jesus continued, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” (Matthew 25:45)

1. A Culture Obsessed with the Self

We find ourselves in a culture that is obsessed with wanting more.

All around us on television, social media, and even within the Church, people are preoccupied with the pursuit of possessions.

- Children yearn for the newest sneakers and video games.

- Women chase after handbags, shoes, and clothing.

- Men are consumed with amassing wealth, collecting cars, and pursuing fleeting relationships to bolster their egos.

Regrettably, many self-proclaimed “men of God” have joined this relentless chase:

- Luxury car collections.

- Private jets.

- Suits costing $30,000 and Louis Vuitton luggage.

- Expansive mansions and Rolls-Royces.

They have misused the blessings bestowed upon them by God, intended to serve others, and instead have adopted a lifestyle that mirrors worldly values.

Yet, God has commanded us:  

“Come out from among them and be ye separate.” (2 Corinthians 6:17)

2. Forgotten People: The Least of These

As many pursue the treasures of this world, the true treasures of heaven are often overlooked:

Widows and Seniors

- Frequently forgotten after the loss of a spouse.  

- Surviving on a mere $28 per month in SNAP benefits.  

- Struggling to afford food or repair their dilapidated homes.  

- Often falling ill due to the cold, mold, or broken heating systems, with no help in sight.  

- When they seek assistance, they receive only a list of disconnected numbers.  

Single Mothers  

- Living in cars with their three children.  

- Resorting to bathing in gas stations and public parks.  

- Their children face bullying and teasing at school due to their appearance and smell.  

According to the CDC, children experiencing homelessness are:  

- Three times more likely to attempt suicide.  

- More likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors.  

- Prone to behavioral disorders and learning delays.  

Young Boys in Broken Homes

- Often referred to as “little man” and pressured to assume fatherly roles before they can even be children.  

- They join gangs in search of the sense of family that has eluded them.  

- Some tragically lose their lives on the streets; others find themselves in prison.  

- Many have endured abuse but remained silent out of shame and fear.  

- Now grown, they carry the scars of their broken childhood, unable to move forward.

3. The Church Must Do Better

We must remember those who are the least among us.

In our quest for recognition, many within the Church have overlooked them.

We are following the ways of man rather than the teachings of Christ.

Jesus cautioned us that a day of reckoning is approaching:

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory… He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats…” (Matthew 25:31-33)

To the sheep, He will say:

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father… For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat…” (Matthew 25:35)

To the goats, He will declare:

“Depart from me… For I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat…” (Matthew 25:41–43)

4. Will You Be Ready?

Will the Church resemble the five wise virgins who had sufficient oil in their lamps, ever prepared for the arrival of the Bridegroom?

Or will it be like the five foolish virgins who were unready when He came?

“But the wise took oil in their vessels along with their lamps.” (Matthew 25:4)

Dear brothers and sisters, we are called to aspire to a higher way of living, not in pursuit of fame or fortune, but by denying ourselves and serving others.

As Jesus said:

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

This journey is not without its challenges.

It requires a life of sacrifice.

5. The Beauty of Sacrifice

“The Christian life is not about seeking more from God, but about giving more to others as a result of what God has bestowed upon you.” — A.W. Tozer.

I recall a time when I helped someone save their home by covering their bill. I worked myself to exhaustion, taking on extra shifts, and my family could see that the stress was taking its toll. During one lunch break, I fell asleep and had a vivid dream in which Christ walked through my door, smiling.

He revealed His hands marked by stigmata. When I reached out to them, He took my hands and showed me that I bore the same marks. In that moment, I understood that I was sharing in His suffering, and I realized it was all worthwhile.

One day, I hope to hear Him say:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23)

6. A Call to Action: Be the Hands of Jesus

Let me offer you some encouragement:  

- Reach out to someone who has been forgotten.  

- Purchase a meal for someone in need.  

- Visit a cousin who is incarcerated.  

- Spend quality time with a lonely widow.  

- Bring joy to a child with something simple, such as an ice cream, a toy, or a kind smile.  

Act not for recognition, but as a service to the Lord.  

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

And remember this:

“Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the most sacred presence that your senses can behold.”  

— C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

When you gaze into the eyes of those experiencing poverty, the broken, and the forgotten, you are seeing the eyes of Jesus.

Closing Prayer

Lord,  

Forgive us for the times we have overlooked the hungry, turned away from the hurting, and silenced the pleas of the forgotten.  

Open our hearts to recognize You in the faces of those in need.  

Please empower us to be Your hands and feet in a broken world.  

In Jesus’ name,  

Amen.