Jesus’ Life: Chapter 15 – Jesus’ Ministry Before His Passion
Jesus, having finished telling his disciples the Parables of the Ten Virgins and the Talents, gave a startling description of events on the last day, the end of our world as we know it.
Jesus said:
- He will return in his divine glory and judge all people.
- “All nations” will assemble before Him.
- The righteous will be separated from the wicked.
- The righteous will be rewarded with “eternal life” but the wicked, “eternal punishment”.
In His very graphic and fearful account, He compared it to a shepherd separating his sheep and goats, the righteous from the wicked; “He will put the sheep on the right and the goats on the left”.
The King will say to those on his right:
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I was naked and you gave me clothing,
I was sick and you took care of me,
I was in prison and you visited me”.
The righteous will reply:
“Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in,
or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you sick
or in prison and visit you?”
The King will answer:
“I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me”.
The King will say to those on his left:
“Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels!
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink.
I was a stranger and you did not receive me as a guest,
naked and you did not clothe me,
sick and in prison and you did not visit me”.
Then they too will ask:
“Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not give you whatever you needed?”
The King will answer:
“I tell you the truth, just as you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for me”.
Three days after Jesus gave this account, he was crucified but three days later, He rose from the dead. (Matthew 25:31-46, John 5:29)
Thought
Are you ready for Jesus’ return? Stay alert!
Reflection
Lord Jesus, help me to walk the straight path to your eternal Kingdom, avoiding the traps and snares of our often sinful world. Holy Mary and St Joseph, pray for me now and at the hour of my death.
Prayer: The Lord is My Shepherd
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in pastures green,
He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen.
