Remember to care for the vulnerable among us
In the 25th chapter of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the sheep and the goats.
These creatures are divided between those who cared for their neighbors, and those who didn't. And the ones who did care for others fare much better under judgement.
The sheep, those who were considered righteous, ask Jesus when they could have possibly seen him hungry or thirsty, as a stranger or someone living in poverty, or someone who was sick or in prison.
His reply is one of the best known lines in Scripture: “I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.” (Matthew 25:40, CEB)
As people of faith, our call is take care of “the least of these.” But what does that mean? Who does that refer to?
At any given time, “the least” means those who are most vulnerable. Scripture regularly lifts up the orphan and the widow, the immigrant, and any outcast as those who should be cared for.
Jesus often taught about caring for the sick, the poor and the abandoned. This parable of the sheep and goats suggests that “the least of these” are those who are living with hunger or thirst, those who are without homes or basic provisions, and those who are unjustly imprisoned.
In these precarious times, with the coronavirus impacting our lives in ways we could not have imagined, the “least of these” list, those who are most vulnerable, includes the older neighbors among us and the immunocompromised.
It includes those without access to medical care.
It includes those who are suffering loss of wages or employment.
It includes adults now trying to provide full-time childcare and continue to work.
This list also includes the heroes among us: the healthcare professionals, first responders, retail workers, restaurant employees, delivery drivers, mail service workers, and others who are working more than their fair share, and putting their own health on the line, to keep things going while we all remain at home and everything else is shut down.
Our call is always to care for the least of these, and this difficult time is no exception.
In the days and weeks to come, please do all you can to care for the least of these among us. If we all do our part, the reward will be great indeed.
The Rev. Leigh Benish is the pastor of Hill United Presbyterian Church in Butler.
