Last Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 29), 
Matthew 25: 31- 46 Judgment of the Gentiles) 

O God of Many Faces, direct our thoughts that we may see you. 
This is the last Sunday of the Church Year. It’s like today is New Years Eve 
according to the church calendar. What a way to end the church year - a gospel 
reading about the judgment day! Instead of being festive, at first reading the 
gospel made me feel uncomfortable and uneasy. Judgment. Separating sheep 
from goats. You go here on my right. You go here on my left. You on the right are 
blessed by my father. You on the left are accursed! I didn’t like where this was 
going. 
This sort of scenario usually sends me into a mode of, “OK, what do I have to do 
to end up on the right side? At first glance it seems that one must feed the hungry, 
give water to the thirsty, welcome the stranger/foreigner/immigrant, give clothing, 
care for the sick and visit those in prison. Simple enough. . . that sounds doable. 
.then the story takes an unusual turn. There’s more going on in this story than just 
doing good or not doing for those in need. Those being judged say, “When was it 
that we saw you and gave to you or when was it that we saw you and did not care 
for you.” That’s an odd reply. One would usually know if they gave food or water 
to someone. 
This story about the judgment of nations is told only in Matthew. It is a powerful 
story and yet the other gospels don’t mention it. What might have prompted the 
author to include a Judgment story in his gospel book– what is good news about 
judgment? He wants those in the Christian community to know that there is more 
to serving others than just caring for their needs. He includes this story about a 
judgment day that focuses not only on serving but also on making a radical 
connection by changing the way we see those whom we serve. 
In the gospel reading, the King separates the nations – same word is used for 
gentiles – like a shepherd coming in at the end of a long day out in the elements. 
He may be tired and dusty but before he can call it a day, he guides the sheep to 
one place and the goats to another place. Then Jesus says to those on his right 
hand, “come you that blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom . . . . then he 
goes into the litany of I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you 
gave me something to drink and so on. 
Then the righteous reply, “When was it that we SAW you and gave you food, . . . 
when was it that we SAW you as a stranger and welcomed you, when was it that 
we SAW you sick or in prison and visited you? Jesus replies “Truly I tell you, just as 
you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to 
me.” 

The story goes on - to those on the left side, Jesus says that they are accursed 
because they did not give food, drink, or care of him when he was sick etcetera. 
Listen to their reply. . “When was it that we SAW you hungry or thirsty or a stranger, 
naked, sick or in prison?” Sound familiar? The reply is just like the righteous 
ones. “When was it that we SAW you? When was it that we SAW you and didn’t 
give you food, visit or care for you?” 
The Greek word for saw is an expansive word - it means not only to see, but also 
to perceive . . . .to experience, . . . .to take note. It is more than just a function of 
the eye. This is significant. . . It indicates that we are to take note, to perceive 
those whom we serve. This opens the door for a radical connection. When we see 
the Christ or see the face of God in those whom we are serving, that’s the radical 
connection Jesus is talking about. Jesus said “Just as you do it for the least - - 
you do it to me.” Not for me but „to. me. 
While living in Boston attending seminary, we discovered a unique grocery store 
called Trader Joe’s. At our Trader Joe’s there was a clerk from Jamaica. He had 
long dreadlocks that he often wore in a bright colored knitted hat. On this particular 
Saturday night I was in line behind a middle aged man on whom I smelled alcohol. 
He seemed distracted, distraught and in a hurry to get out of the store. I noticed 
the clerk looking at the customer. As he started to give the customer his change, I 
saw him look directly into the customer’s eyes and say, “I hope you wake up to a 
new day tomorrow.” The customer stood still – for just a moment they looked 
intently at each other– then the customer said, “Thanks for noticing me.” Jesus 
said “Just as you do it for the least - - you do it to me” 
Several years ago as part of his sabbatical, my rector spent several weeks on the 
streets of Atlanta living with those who do not live in homes as what we would 
think of homes. He reports that after a week, he was looking rather scruffy and 
didn’t smell real pleasant either. One day as he was sitting on the steps of an 
empty building on Peachtree Street near the Fox theatre, two of his parishioners 
came by. They looked at him and turned away. They did not “see” him. It’s like he 
was invisible. Yet he was right in front of them. “When was it that we saw you?” 
Jesus said “Just as you do it for the least - - you do it to me.” 
The story about the Judgment Day offers an invitation to cultivate a habit of 
seeing, of noticing Christ in all people. Yes, our calling as his followers is about 
doing for others . . .And it is more . . .it is about serving and seeing Christ in the 
other. Jesus said “Just as you do it for the least - - you do it to me.” To me 
not for me. 
I remember that it was a Tuesday. It was raining (almost snow) and it was cold in 
Boston. I was scheduled to visit the parishioners of Common Cathedral, the 
church that meets outdoors on the Boston Common. Most of the parishioners live 
on the street or in shelters. I did not want to go. What could be good news or how 
could I serve someone on the streets on a day like that? 

Soon I saw a middle aged man sitting on a heating grate under an awning. I 
asked if he were hungry. He nodded yes, I gave him a sandwich and bought a cup 
of coffee for him. I asked if I could sit beside him. We talked for a while about life, 
families and the weather. Then I took a deep breath and asked if he would like to 
pray. Eventually, he nodded yes. I asked then if he would like to start the prayer. 
I would finish it. He asked, “Do you really think God would listen to me?” I said, 
“Well maybe he’s eavesdropping on us right now.” 
The man started to pray. I sat there with him, silently. I just did my best to listen, 
to notice him. 
After the amen, I stood up, picked up my book bag and prepared to go search out 
another parishioner of the Common Cathedral. As I was about to say good-bye, 
the man looked up at me. He said this to me, in parting: 
Now I know – God is with me. I am not alone. 
I have no way of knowing whether that man is off the streets now- or still under the 
same awning. But in that moment, I saw the Christ in him and something shifted 
deep within me. 
Jesus said “Just as you do it for the least - - you do it to me.” 
Amen 

The Rev. Mary Wetzel 
Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church 
Clarkesville, GA 
November 23, 2008