In any normal year, this weekend would find us making preparations for Thanksgiving get-togethers, visits with friends and family, and getting ready for big sales at the stores. But… this isn’t a normal year. Instead, we find ourselves wondering how the next few weeks will play out, and how it will affect our holiday customs, traditions, and activities.
In a surprising way, our Gospel this week speaks to this particular dynamic for us in the situation in which we . We see the image of the general judgment – Jesus on his throne, with ‘goats’ and ‘sheep’ in separate groups. Jesus speaks to each group, and his message strikes a particular chord: it is the ways in which we care for one another that makes a difference. Jesus isn’t going to judge us on our knowledge of the Bible, or whether we can recite a particular prayer: what He is interested in is whether we’ve used the graces He gives us in the sacraments in a way that demonstrates love and concern for our neighbors.
Here’s the thing, though: have you ever stopped to think about this passage as it concerns others and not yourself in particular? I know that when I read this passage, my first thought is “boy, I want to be in there with the ‘sheep’ and not the ‘goats’!” This year, though, as we approach Thanksgiving, let’s turn our gaze outward for a moment. The whole reason that there are ‘goats’ and ‘sheep’ in the first place is that there were already those out there in need: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the ill. Rather than looking at ourselves and our eternal destiny, perhaps we should instead think about those who need our care and concern at this time: those who are lonely due to self-isolation, those who hunger to hear a loving voice in person or on the phone, and those who are already ill or who are deeply concerned about contracting COVID. This year, there are more people in serious need than ever before. They’re our neighbors, our friends, our family members, and members of our parish community.
If we perceive of ourselves as the flock of our Divine Shepherd, then the upcoming holiday seasons provide opportunities for outreach like never before! Our Ladies of Charity distributed food to the needy this weekend, and will continue their outreach in the upcoming weeks – please consider sharing your resources with them! (We’re not accepting donations of canned goods this year, but monetary gifts are always gratefully accepted.). The Little Sisters of the Poor are continuing their tradition of a food drive – but this year, we’ve placed bins in our church entrances and have invited you to drop a dollar or two, in support of their charitable outreach. There are those who will be alone this Thanksgiving – can we write them a letter, send them a card, or call them and just talk for a while?
As the members of this faith community, we all wish to be counted among the ‘sheep’ of Jesus’ flock at the final judgment. There is one way that we will find ourselves in that group: today, reach out in love and charity to those around us. If we wish to hear Jesus tell us “come, you who are blessed by my Father”, we must first bless those around us with our love, our compassion, and our resources.
May you and your loved ones have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!
Blessings,
Fr Larry
