The Last Judgment
I believe in Jesus Christ, who ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Reading (Matthew 25: 31-46)
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, all the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.Then he will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you have me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me."
Then the righteous will say to him, "Lord, when did we do these things for you?"
And he will reply, "Whatever you did for the least of my brothers, you did for me."
Then he will say to those on his left, "Depart from me to the eternal fire. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison and you shunned me."
But they will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you like this and not help you?"
And he will answer, "Whatever you failed to do for the least of my brothers, you failed to do for me."
Song (Psalm 146)
Happy are they whose help is from God,
Whose hope is in the Lord their God,
Who keeps faith forever,
Who executes justice for the oppressed,
Who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free;
He opens the eyes of the blind;
He lifts up those who are bowed down.
The Lord loves the righteous,
He watches over strangers;
He upholds the widow and the orphan.
But the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
Reflection
Everything we do has consequences. In the end we must answer for ourselves. It is of little importance how we are judged by the world. God is our judge, and he knows the whole of us. It would be pointless to try to argue our case before him, or to bring anyone to our defense, for the matter is already settled. Whatever good we do will be acknowledged before God. And if we have done any harm or left any good thing undone, we must give an accounting. God sees the hearts of all and he judges as each deserves.God's love for us is without limits. But if we reject his love by turning away from our brothers and sisters, we will condemn ourselves to an eternity without God.
Prayer
Almighty God, do not judge me as my sins deserve, but show me your mercy, for I long to put my sins behind me and make amends. Create a clean heart in me, and place a new spirit within me, that I may do your will. And may I find peace in bringing good to others as you have done for me.