Matthew 25:31-46
Sheep and Goats... judgment day, the sheep go to heaven, the goats get the other option. Clear and simple, cut and dry? Maybe... but more importantly the gospel reading reminds us who we ought to be if we are the chosen sheep, Jesus’ flock.
When Leann and I were in Mississippi doing Hurricane Relief work, we heard a sermon that preached on this very passage. Surrounded by volunteers and the congregation of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church that had lost their church, and much more. The priest said that we weren’t separated between sheep and goats, but rather the uncomfortable separation of being sheep, and the least of these. This was a time, he said, of learning to receive help joyfully, and then give it just as joyfully. He said that he wasn’t nearly as concerned about when or how they would rebuild their church as he was concerned that, “This congregation, through this experience become a people who go. Who hear the call of the gospel, who obey and go.”
“Does the gospel say just pray or just write checks? Just be companionate or just worry? No, the gospel says Go!”
Pretty strong words huh? We can talk our way around it, we can convince ourselves that God isn’t calling us. God is calling younger stronger more talented people, people with skills, people with spare time, people with not so many commitments... Does Jesus say the sheep are people who thought about giving water to the thirsty, who paid someone else to feed the hungry, who welcomed strangers if they were like themselves, who gave their worn out clothes to the poor instead of throwing them away... Not really. We are called to love we are called to serve, we are called to go!
“I promise you this, that you will love it. People who love and serve and go are the happiest people on the face of the earth!”
There is evidence of the sheep all over the world. Here in El Salvador (where I am right now), ERD, United Thank Offering, and individual Episcopal churches continue to give, not just money, but labor, love, relationships. I visited a site yesterday where the Dioses of El Salvador with the help of many friends, is building a self-sustaining agriculture co-op community.
There are opportunities to Go all over the world, even at home. There is the Echo homeless shelter, Loaves and Fishes... Don’t just give money, Go! Outside your comfort zone! Because Going changes you. I challenge you this weekend to think of one way you can go next week, and then do it! Once you do it once you’ll find how easy it can be. Go!