“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”
Matthew 25:40 (RSV)
We all know people who we would consider the greatest among us. Jesus doesn’t need to tell us to do good for those who have been great towards us, like wonderful friends, family members, or those who have helped us when we were down, but He did tell us to do good for the least among us.
The “least” among us is commonly thought to be people like starving children in third world nations, or anyone living in poverty, as well as the lonely, forgotten souls in Nursing facilities or hospitals. I’m learning that the “least among us”, encompasses even more than all the people described above.
Last week I was visiting a group of residents in the Nursing Home, which was a very pleasant visit. One resident’s aunt was in from out of town, who joined us and we had a great conversation together. Lydia, the resident with Alzheimer’s who walks around, cradling her baby doll, sat next to me, just happy to be with all of us, even though she doesn’t understand a word of English.
While I was taking in the delightful moment of that visit, a resident walked by who is known to be very contentious and regularly instigates arguments. Someone told me that before she was admitted to the Nursing home, she was on the local news for disturbing the peace at a Chicago public beach, shouting racial slurs at strangers. She now lives on the psychiatric floor of the Nursing Facility. When she enters the room, a strange silence comes over everyone, knowing the current relaxed ambience could easily erupt into a conflict.
I’m calling her Windy, to protect her privacy. That day, Windy walked into the room and sat right at our table. We continued our conversation with each other as if nothing changed, but people were clearly looking cautious. She said nothing to anyone and sat for a few minutes, eating the snacks I brought. Then she thanked me, got up and left. We all breathed a sigh of relief and continued to have a nice visit.
It made me think about how easy and natural it is, to do good for people who are kind and friendly, but Jesus didn’t ask us to do what comes natural or easy. In fact, He has a history of asking us to do the most “unnatural” things.
He told us to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, go the extra mile, turn the other cheek, and if someone asks for our shirt, to give away our coat as well.
Not one of those things come natural to us, which was apparent by everyone’s reaction in the moment Windy came and sat at our table. Not only does Jesus ask us to do what is “not natural”, He asks us to do it for the “least” of all persons among us. The least among us is not limited to those who are simple minded, innocent, poor and lovable. It might also include the least lovable among us.
While focusing on those who are sick, naked, hungry or in prison, we will inevitably find people who are also angry, argumentative and morally impaired. Some people were damaged early in their life and we don’t know their story or what made them who they are today, but Jesus knows, and He rewards those who will show them kindness.
He said, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.”
(Luke 6:32-33)
It seems that Jesus is always asking us to do what is unnatural, instead of what comes natural to us. The next day, Windy came and sat at our table again. We were discussing various Easter and Passover customs, so I invited her into the conversation by asking about her own childhood faith background.
She said that her parents had no faith but as an adult, she briefly visited an Episcopal church. It was at the least, an opening to include her in the conversation. Then she said something critical about Passover, but I quickly diffused the comment by changing the subject, before an eruption occurred. Everything remained peaceful, she thanked me for the treats and walked away.
We can be sure that if Jesus brings difficult people into our lives, it’s for the purpose of raising the bar of our own spiritual growth. The Nursing facility can be a school for learning hard lessons, but we were all meant to keep moving forward wherever Jesus leads us. The lessons the Holy Spirit is teaching us, are meant to transform us, not the people around us.
The church is encouraged to be overcomers, who resist any way of thinking that goes against the teaching of Jesus Christ. We’re all on a life journey of transformation by the Holy Spirit, shining His love to the least among us, doing our best to keep moving forward all the way to the finish line.
Lord, help us to be open to doing what does not come natural, so that we may be your disciples, shining your light and reflecting your love to a world that desperately needs it. Amen
