My Toe, His Toe.

Matthew 25: 31-46

Today's reading gives us the mother of all previews. Jesus tells His disciples exactly what it will be like during the final judgment of our souls.

Here is where it pays to know your animals. Jesus uses yet another analogy, the basic meaning of which we will discuss here. However, be warned that my limited knowledge of animal behavior may very well miss some slight nuances.

In its essence, Jesus explains that (in the end) God will bring together everyone, and he will be like a shepherd separating the sheep from the goats. The basis of separation is how we have treated our fellow man.

Why this analogy, and why this standard?

The analogy is clever. Think about what we know about sheep, for instance. Sheep are loyal and obedient whose physical image is one of whiteness (purity) and warmth. Now consider the goat. A goat is generally thought to be headstrong and obstinate, with a physical image of being dirty and gruff. In what sense are we either sheep or goats?

We are either sheep or goats by virtue of how we treat each other. We decide. What Jesus tells us is simple. What you do (or don't do) to your fellow man, you do (or don't do) to Me.

This is a very challenging notion if you stop and think about all of the interactions you have on a daily basis. The good thing, I suppose, is that each day we get ample opportunity to try.

In this passage, Jesus gives us very concrete examples-- feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the poor, care for the sick, welcome the stranger, visit the ill and imprisoned. It is one thing to be kind to those in our life that we love-- and even those in our life that we like. It is something else altogether to recognize the face of Jesus in those we don't love (or even like). . . and even harder still to see His face in those who despise us.

Try to think about it this way. . . one toe at a time. Each time you stub your toe (or someone else's) you stub His. My advice: keep your feet clean, put on your shoes and walk around awhile. Life is there waiting for your next step.

The Things We Rather Not Hear

Mk 7:31-37

This Gospel reading (meant for Friday, February 12) tells the story of when Jesus miraculously cures a deaf and speech-impaired man and enables him to speak clearly. Jesus pulls the man aside and performs the miracle by placing his finger in the man's ear and placing his own spittal on the man's tongue. Jesus asks, as He usually does, for the man to keep quiet about the incident. But as we know, news of the miraculous does not stay quiet for long.

It is easy put aside the Truth when we claim we can't hear it.

Think of the incredible compassion of Jesus in this situation. The sensitivity expressed in pulling the man aside showed that God had empathy for the man's plight. St. Gregory offers insight on the significance of Jesus using his finger to effectuate the cure of deafness. St. Gregory suggest s that the Spirit of God is called the "finger." In this experience, Jesus has opened the soul of the man through a gift of the Holy Spirit. By using His own spittal, Jesus connects personally with the man in a very intimate expression of solidarity.

This miracle was not only intended for the redemption of this poor man. It was also intended for us. Deaf or not, centuries later, we are meant to hear the healing message of the Holy Spirit.

If we allow ourselves to listen closely, there are things in our own life that are very uncomfortable to hear. But if we remember to compassion and solidarity offered by Our Lord, the Holy Spirit can heal us-- and perhaps bless us with the grace to tell about it.