Same or Different

~~~ Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18 ~~~ Psalm 19 ~~~ Matthew 25:31-46 ~~~

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

Whatever you did for the least you did for me...

So many times we judge those who we believe are beneath

 us for whatever reason...

the color of their skin...the way they speak...the clothes they wear...

their actions...body piercings or tattoos.

We look for people who are like us and ignore everyone else.

It is a challenge to intentionally seek out those who are different.

Even when we travel at home or abroad we look for similarities.

But have you ever considered that people are looking 

at you the same way?

We make value judgments and act accordingly.

During this time of Lent I think God is inviting us 

to look at those who do not 'match up' to our liking and to reach out to them.

If we can reach out to those who are least like ourselves

we just may find that we are getting closer to serving the Lord himself.

Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you...

It is the perfect time to keep our words in check;

to let only words of kindness, understanding, 

forgiveness, and compassion

come from our lips.

It is the perfect time to examine how we let our heart love.

Is our heart confined and restrained?

Is our heart open and accepting?

If we are striving for a greater holiness in the Lord 

then we are called to be more accepting and less comparative.

We are each created in the image and likeness of God;

it is precisely this image that we are loving when we care for others.

The challenge for us today is to see others as God sees them

not simply whether or not they are 'like us'.

The stranger, the naked, the prisoner are all

 the picture of God made man.

How do you treat them?

Blessed to be who I am becoming today.

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life...

not just for me, but for everyone.