So far I understand this:
Jesus is a sacrificial lamb (therefore making him a sign of humility, meekness, and kindness)
Sheep always need to be led
Sheep are somewhat ignorant, but in a way that makes them humble/obedient
Sheep have a strong presence in scripture due to the cultural significance
Why a goat? Other parts of the bible use a wolf, but this passage uses a goat, is there significance to that?
Here in this passage, the sheep on the right of Jesus have obviously been saved because of their life
actions (what seem very similar to the corporal works of mercy). However they deny knowing that they
acted in this way, “Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you…”
actions (what seem very similar to the corporal works of mercy). However they deny knowing that they
acted in this way, “Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you…”
The same goes for the ones on the left (the goats). The goats are being condemned (for their inactions)
but they also are asking “Lord when did we see you hungry or thirsty…”
but they also are asking “Lord when did we see you hungry or thirsty…”
It seems that the sheep are ignorant of their good actions, and the same can be said for the goats
(ignorant of their inaction), so why are the sheep good and the goats bad?
(ignorant of their inaction), so why are the sheep good and the goats bad?
It is obvious that the sheep are good because of their behavior (practicing the corporal works of mercy,
loving one another), but yet they do not know that they are doing good deeds.
loving one another), but yet they do not know that they are doing good deeds.
We practice these behaviors today because Jesus has revealed them through his ongoing revelation,
but we do these actions in his name, there is no denying that. I think I would find myself saying “yes,
Lord, I clothed the naked because I Love You and I love my neighbor.” I would definitely not say “well
when did I feed you, when did I clothe you?”
but we do these actions in his name, there is no denying that. I think I would find myself saying “yes,
Lord, I clothed the naked because I Love You and I love my neighbor.” I would definitely not say “well
when did I feed you, when did I clothe you?”
It just seems confusing to me because both the righteous and the evil are being judged for something
they are ignorant of.
they are ignorant of.
How can someone not know if they are doing something good?
I hope I am explaining myself…
Thank you for your question. In reading your explanation a couple things
come to mind.
come to mind.
1. The question from the audience is a post resurrection universal gathering
of all the souls who ever existed.
of all the souls who ever existed.
2. They ask the question "When did we ever see YOU...? Jesus answers,
"Remember the street corner panhandler to whom you gave a bottle of water?"
"Remember the street corner panhandler to whom you gave a bottle of water?"
3. Jesus knows that much of the good that we do, we do not go beyond the
wretch for whom we do it, but the Shepherd receives every good that we share whether we are conscious of His presence or not.
wretch for whom we do it, but the Shepherd receives every good that we share whether we are conscious of His presence or not.
4. Jesus knows the good that the jungle dweller does and He receives it with
pleasure even though the jungle dweller has no idea. But the jungle dweller
will be there at the fateful hour and he will discover that his desire and activity
for the benefit of the world around him was received by the creator in love.
pleasure even though the jungle dweller has no idea. But the jungle dweller
will be there at the fateful hour and he will discover that his desire and activity
for the benefit of the world around him was received by the creator in love.
5. There's a teaching in this chapter that is little known because the homilists
don't have time to bring it home. It is not their fault. The entire chapter is
not read at one crack during any liturgy.
don't have time to bring it home. It is not their fault. The entire chapter is
not read at one crack during any liturgy.
Your question touches on precisely that lesson. The story of the ten maidens
and the story of talents talk about people who should know better. In the
first case, simple human nature, common sense precautions. In the case of
the talents, knowledge of the BOSS and his attitude towards the help is ignored
at the servant's peril.
In the final wrap-up, everyone is there and so the language indicates.
and the story of talents talk about people who should know better. In the
first case, simple human nature, common sense precautions. In the case of
the talents, knowledge of the BOSS and his attitude towards the help is ignored
at the servant's peril.
In the final wrap-up, everyone is there and so the language indicates.
6. When we do Acts of Mercy we never see Christ except in faith - Post
resurrection faith which is the grace that clarifies the Bible story for us +
2,000 years of grace-filled growth of understanding.
resurrection faith which is the grace that clarifies the Bible story for us +
2,000 years of grace-filled growth of understanding.
Despite that, I can tell you that we do corporal acts of mercy at moments
that we don't know about. Now that you are in the public eye, I can assure
you that you do not know 100% of the good that you do in your daily life.
It happened to me last night, again. A man that I don't know approached me as though I am a saint. I don't know him from a bar of soap! But He knows
Jesus Christ through me! He told me so. We talked for about 15 solid minutes
about some heavy duty stuff because He sees Christ in me.
that we don't know about. Now that you are in the public eye, I can assure
you that you do not know 100% of the good that you do in your daily life.
It happened to me last night, again. A man that I don't know approached me as though I am a saint. I don't know him from a bar of soap! But He knows
Jesus Christ through me! He told me so. We talked for about 15 solid minutes
about some heavy duty stuff because He sees Christ in me.
T..., get ready for it. When we work directly in the Church, we have to
be ready to accept the fact that God's people see Him through us.
be ready to accept the fact that God's people see Him through us.
In your meditations to those preparing for Confirmation, please tell them that
they have to live in such a way that others will see Christ through them.
Their life is going to be the sermon that they preach to the world. Yes, all
of them just as all of us, will do good without seeing Christ in the recipient
of their actions, but Christ will accept it anyway.
they have to live in such a way that others will see Christ through them.
Their life is going to be the sermon that they preach to the world. Yes, all
of them just as all of us, will do good without seeing Christ in the recipient
of their actions, but Christ will accept it anyway.
Confirmation is a great blessing for us. We, the teachers, get to talk to them,
the disciples, directly, not to their parents. We somehow have to reach them
in the depths of their beings and hope that they will accept the fire of the
Pentecost and carry it forward to the coming of the JUDGE.
the disciples, directly, not to their parents. We somehow have to reach them
in the depths of their beings and hope that they will accept the fire of the
Pentecost and carry it forward to the coming of the JUDGE.
Bottom line, Stay ready, live clean or fry.
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