Matt 25:31-40... How should it be done?

[Flopfoot]

Best to read this passage in your bible… but basically, its the one about -
“Come, inherit the kingdom. For when I was hungry, you fed me. When I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink… as often as you did it for the least of these people, you did it for me.” (paraphrased and bits skipped out)

I’m not a missionary (or a parent), so it’s not often that I find myself feeding people who are hungry or giving thirsty people a drink or visiting people in prison. But I figure that what I can do is give money to charities to help support missionary work which is feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty. Is this ‘good enough’ to count as a kindness, by indirectly helping these people?

Also, is it an ‘any’ or an ‘all’ of these things that we have to do? If someone feeds the hungry but doesn’t clothe the naked, are they righteous or not? Do you have to do all 6 of the things that Jesus said to do, even if you don’t really have a good opportunity or a way of doing them all? (How many people here have visited someone in prison?) Or can you focus on one or two that you are really good at?

 

[m134e5]

Practice the spiritual and corporal works of mercy whenever you have the opportunity- being always mindful of the duties of your state in life and of your limitations (i.e. don’t give your month’s paycheck to a food kitchen if your electricity is about to be turned off- do spend time in prayer for those who go hungry; don’t spend all weekend visiting people in prison when your family is stressed out and you really need some family time- do donate what you can to a prison ministry program- if you are able- and pray for those who are in prison; don’t run off on a mission trip to a third world country if you have a classroom full of students who will be without a teacher if you do- do donate to help defray the costs of the mission trip, and pray for their evangelization efforts and offer to do any ‘behind-the-scenes’ work that you can do).

 

[Didi]

Does your parish or town have a St. Vincent de Paul Society? If so, get involved. You can pack food boxes, deliver them, donate food and other household items, give money, help with holiday food baskets, etc.

Do you have a Birthright in your area? Donate clothing and bottles for new babies.

Do you have a Good Will or Salvation Army? Donate appliances and clothing and furniture you’re not using or don’t need.

Do you know of families in your church or your neighborhood who are struggling? Send them some gift certificates anonymously for grocery stores or clothing stores.

Donate to your local utilities who all have programs to help those who need it during the cold winter months.

Pray for those who are hungry, homeless, cold.

 

[Catholic_Dude]

Flopfoot:

Best to read this passage in your bible… but basically, its the one about -
“Come, inherit the kingdom. For when I was hungry, you fed me. When I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink… as often as you did it for the least of these people, you did it for me.” (paraphrased and bits skipped out)

I’m not a missionary (or a parent), so it’s not often that I find myself feeding people who are hungry or giving thirsty people a drink or visiting people in prison. But I figure that what I can do is give money to charities to help support missionary work which is feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty. Is this ‘good enough’ to count as a kindness, by indirectly helping these people?

Also, is it an ‘any’ or an ‘all’ of these things that we have to do? If someone feeds the hungry but doesn’t clothe the naked, are they righteous or not? Do you have to do all 6 of the things that Jesus said to do, even if you don’t really have a good opportunity or a way of doing them all? (How many people here have visited someone in prison?) Or can you focus on one or two that you are really good at?

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

The truth is you can be helping in the background even if your not on the front lines. Just giving in the church offering goes to support a lot of charitable things the average Catholic doesnt see. For the most part be concerned with your family and stay on the good path and little chances to help here and there will come around. Prayer, alms, volunteer, etc those all are valuable and help out. quality not quantity

 

[asquared]

support those persons and agencies within the Church whose primary responsibility is carrying out the spiritual and corporal works of mercy–Catholic Charities, Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Relief Services, missionaries (don’t forget home missions and Catholic Extension), St. Vincent dePaul etc.

Support other charities that have any of those charisms described in the Gospel, especially those where you know their activities do not deviate from Church teaching. CFCA yes, UNICEF no for instance (there are threads on these topics, go there for details.)

Support means financial, but also time and talent. Volunteer for any of these organizations locally, especially if you have a specific talent. DD volunteers at Ronald McDonald house, started out washing dishes, now handles computers, publicity, technical writing and similar services. Son tutors ESL students in computer skills. Begin in your own parish looking for opportunities to serve and support.

Don’t neglect friends, family and neighbors in need either, even or especially when you can expect no gratitude.

When you do give things other than money, please consider carefully if you are giving to get rid of things you no longer want, or if you are giving what the person or agency actually needs. Recall that you are giving the Christ himself, and evaluate your gift accordingly.

Perhaps instead of the old worn out clothing, you might consider purchasing something new that is really needed. For instance, Salvation Army & St Vincent get tons of clothing donations in spring and fall when people clean out there closets, which has to be sorted, and a lot of it tossed because it is dirty or actually rags. This causes them expense for trash disposal services. However, they really need new underwear and sox, because they cannot give away used items. Why not consider throwing a package of socks or underwear in the cart next time you are in Walmart for St. Vincent. When you are buying back to school clothes, what about one new outfit or jacket for charity?

Same with food, when your kid’s school has a canned food drive, don’t dig out the canned beets or anchovies in the back of the pantry, buy what is needed most: main dishes or meal starters such as stew, hearty soup, canned meat and tuna, rice and beans etc. Also baby food for your crisis pregnancy center or birthright chapter.

Take time to find out what the organization is asking for and try to fill a need that is not being met. Our rosary cenacle supported the Birthing Center for years financially, and recently found they really need nursing bras because they encourage breastfeeding, so now we are their main supplier in this niche.

bear in mind always when giving or serving that your purpose is not your own emotional satisfaction, but that you learn to see the face of Jesus Christ in those whom you are serving.

 

[awalt]

This was the reading at Sunday Mass yesterday, and our pastor gave the homily at the Mass I went to.

This won’t be a major surprise, but what he said was basically:

1. The 10 Commandments are basically the “minimum requirement to get in the game.” The much more important aspects are the sins of Omission.
2. No one is expected to take care of everything, it is a matter of your conscience and your heart, in a decision of are you doing enough
3. The reason this is so important is that it is the embellishment of the two greatest Commandments, Love God and Love thy neighbor. Our acts show Jesus our love for him and others.
4. There are many practical ways you can help in any and all of these areas - whether by time, money, non-money donations, etc.

Shall we start another debate on Faith and good works?

 

[Madia]

Also, is it an ‘any’ or an ‘all’ of these things that we have to do? If someone feeds the hungry but doesn’t clothe the naked, are they righteous or not? Do you have to do all 6 of the things that Jesus said to do, even if you don’t really have a good opportunity or a way of doing them all? (How many people here have visited someone in prison?) Or can you focus on one or two that you are really good at?

Please first read 1Cor 12:
drbo.org/chapter/53012.htm

Maybe it would help you to view Christ talking to His Body rather than individual parts. Now, as a body has many parts, so too the Body of Christ (the Church) has many individuals. Now, as St. Paul illustrated, each part of the body has a function. If the ear said “I am no good because I do not see” then how would the body hear? If all missionaries say to themself “I am no good because I do not visit the imprisoned” and abandon their missionary work to work with the imprisoned who would feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty? As many parts of the Body of Christ we are each given unique talents that He wants us to use for the building up of His Church. We should be content with the talents given to us strive to best use them of our ability.

However, we should also pray for other members of the Body of Christ. While you may not be given the talent of prison ministry there may be a member of the Body of Christ who possesses that talent and not even know it. Your prayers for those imprisoned may help call down grace for that person which awakens in him the desire to serve God by ministry to the imprisoned.

So, while we all can’t be great preachers, missionaries, etc. we can still pray for other members of the Body of Christ. Find a morning offering that offers up all your prayers, works, etc. for intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary. They will see to it that the grace called down from your prayers, works, etc. will be distributed in the best way possible.

 

[CatQuilt]

asquared:

support those persons and agencies within the Church whose primary responsibility is carrying out the spiritual and corporal works of mercy–Catholic Charities, Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Relief Services, missionaries (don’t forget home missions and Catholic Extension), St. Vincent dePaul etc.

Support other charities that have any of those charisms described in the Gospel, especially those where you know their activities do not deviate from Church teaching. CFCA yes, UNICEF no for instance (there are threads on these topics, go there for details.)

Support means financial, but also time and talent. Volunteer for any of these organizations locally, especially if you have a specific talent. DD volunteers at Ronald McDonald house, started out washing dishes, now handles computers, publicity, technical writing and similar services. Son tutors ESL students in computer skills. Begin in your own parish looking for opportunities to serve and support.

Don’t neglect friends, family and neighbors in need either, even or especially when you can expect no gratitude.

When you do give things other than money, please consider carefully if you are giving to get rid of things you no longer want, or if you are giving what the person or agency actually needs. Recall that you are giving the Christ himself, and evaluate your gift accordingly.

Perhaps instead of the old worn out clothing, you might consider purchasing something new that is really needed. For instance, Salvation Army & St Vincent get tons of clothing donations in spring and fall when people clean out there closets, which has to be sorted, and a lot of it tossed because it is dirty or actually rags. This causes them expense for trash disposal services. However, they really need new underwear and sox, because they cannot give away used items. Why not consider throwing a package of socks or underwear in the cart next time you are in Walmart for St. Vincent. When you are buying back to school clothes, what about one new outfit or jacket for charity?

Same with food, when your kid’s school has a canned food drive, don’t dig out the canned beets or anchovies in the back of the pantry, buy what is needed most: main dishes or meal starters such as stew, hearty soup, canned meat and tuna, rice and beans etc. Also baby food for your crisis pregnancy center or birthright chapter.

Take time to find out what the organization is asking for and try to fill a need that is not being met. Our rosary cenacle supported the Birthing Center for years financially, and recently found they really need nursing bras because they encourage breastfeeding, so now we are their main supplier in this niche.

bear in mind always when giving or serving that your purpose is not your own emotional satisfaction, but that you learn to see the face of Jesus Christ in those whom you are serving.

What beautiful ideas!