"Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers [and sisters] of mine, you did for me." - Matthew 25:40
Have you ever been complimented for something, compelling you to respond, "Oh, It's nothing. It's the least I could do!" What does that mean... "It's the least you could do"? On face value, it means that you probably could have done more, but are grateful to the person for noticing your effort, and complimenting you on doing "the least" you could have done. Today's Gospel has a similar theme, and a slight twist on the use of the word "least".
God is always watching: As a believer in the Source of everlasting life, I am confident that God is always aware of our coming and going, and I am equally confident that He is paying attention to the details. Therefore, our actions are noticed, and their consequences are either celebrated as part of the solution, or recognized as part of the problem. When confronted by hunger, you can either feed them, or not share your food with them. The discussions that goes with "teaching someone to fish" can only help after someone is fed.
We should do "our most" to serve the least: I know it seems like a Santa-like scare tactic to say that, "You'd better do good for goodness sake" because, "He's always watching!" but if that's what it takes to care for the "least" among us, then maybe that's not a bad idea. Santa is not God! Actually, he's just someone who served God very well, sharing his gifts with those in need to the point where God, and many others recognized it enough to remember it forever. St. Nicholas did the most he could, for the least around him! What followed, of course, was teaching the world something about giving.
So do the most (like Santa) for the least, and all will be better for it... Amen!
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