Fortunate without Photos

Monday of the First Week of Lent

Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18 / Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15 / Matthew 25:31-46

Fortunate Without Photos

The body of Christ is the whole of humanity.

- St. Basil of Nyssa (335-386)

Fortunately for us photography had not yet been invented during the ministry of Jesus. If it had been, we would have pictures to look at and an accurate appearance to search for in a sea of human faces. We’d be distracted from the many ways we encounter Christ in need of our help.

Stories of people who visited Mother Teresa of Calcutta and her Missionaries of Charity abound. Most have a familiar thread. The visitor at some point is transformed by the humble and valiant work done by Mother Teresa’s community. The visitor asks Mother Teresa how he or she can be involved in the work of the Missionaries of Charity. Mother Teresa replies: “Go home and love those closest to you. Find the people in your own community who have been forgotten and overlooked and love them.” Mother Teresa was a living example of today’s gospel being fulfilled. You and I can be too.

·         Today be on the lookout for strangers. Pay attention to their faces, as well as everyday acquaintances, family and friends. Take a quiet moment at some time to contemplate the faces you have seen and how you responded to each one. Have you treated them like Christ in need of your kindness? If not, correct the situation in the next person you meet.

·         The next time you watch the news, try to find the face of Christ in each story. Then think of how you might be able to help the people in the stories or someone like them.

·         Meditate on the quote from St. Basil of Nyssa. How does it affect the way you look at today’s gospel passage? How does it affect the way you look at the people you meet every day?