Matthew 25

[fisherman_carl]

In the general judgment of “all nations” is Jesus primarily addressing those who don’t know him? Because the sheep are baffled when Jesus says you did these works to me. They say, " Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?" And also the goats are equally baffled about this. They say, " Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?’"

I heard Fr. Mitch Pacwa talk about this on the radio. Since it was the judgment of all nations, that is those who do not know Christ. So, I am thinking because they did not know Christ they are judged here by the works as though it was done for Christ. And they express their ignorance about Christ by saying they did not recognize him when they did or did not do those things.

This doesn’t excuse believers from doing those works of course. I was just interested in that interpretation as explaining why all the nations were baffled at recognising Jesus in our neighbour. Believers would be familiar with this teaching and may not be as surprised as the nations were. For instance, could you imagine Mother Theresa asking ‘when did we see you hungry or thirsty’?

 

[Mystophilus]

I heard Fr. Mitch Pacwa talk about this on the radio. Since it was the judgment of all nations, that is those who do not know Christ. So, I am thinking because they did not know Christ they are judged here by the works as though it was done for Christ. And they express their ignorance about Christ by saying they did not recognize him when they did or did not do those things.

That does seem the most coherent reading, yes, especially because it does refer to “all nations”, necessarily including unbelievers right there.

This is one of the reasons why it is an interesting passage: it makes no reference to the beliefs of those who are declared righteous, and thus potentially helps us to understand what might await those who were never even exposed to the Gospel.

 

[R_C]

I will be honest, and please know that I am in no way being judgmental: I have experienced in other brothers in Christ (and, quite a few times, done so personally) that it is not so natural to recognize the Lord in those who are sick or starving or imprisoned.

Often we are moved to judge them very harshly, to believe that they got to be that way because of their actions and thus they deserve the sufferings, or simply we cannot see the good and merciful Jesus reflected in people seemingly full of imperfections. Thus, instead of loving the sinner and hating the sins and the father of all lies, we hate the sinner or, at least, do not care about him.

And whose will be “the greater sin”, if not of those who had received the teaching and did not keep it in their hearts? How could we compare it to that of the nations which did not know Christ, those very nations that the Lord commanded us to make disciples among?

Truly, “if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive?”

 

[JRKH]

Excellent insight - thanks for sharing.

I had not thought of the “all nations” aspect of the passage and how that would fit with all those who never heard the gospel. It does fit nicely with the Church’s teaching in the Catechism about those who, “through no fault of their own”, have not heard the Gospel:
847 …
Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.

Of course, as you say, this does not excuse Christians from the necessary works of faith. “All nations” will necessarily include Christians as well.
And as for those who are confused…well Mother Theresa may not need to ask the question but you can bet there will be many who are surprised and confused and will ask “Lord when did we see you”…

Peace
James

 

[jcrichton]

In the general judgment of “all nations” is Jesus primarily addressing those who don’t know him? Because the sheep are baffled when Jesus says you did these works to me. They say, " Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?" And also the goats are equally baffled about this. They say, " Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?’"

I heard Fr. Mitch Pacwa talk about this on the radio. Since it was the judgment of all nations, that is those who do not know Christ. So, I am thinking because they did not know Christ they are judged here by the works as though it was done for Christ. And they express their ignorance about Christ by saying they did not recognize him when they did or did not do those things.

This doesn’t excuse believers from doing those works of course. I was just interested in that interpretation as explaining why all the nations were baffled at recognising Jesus in our neighbour. Believers would be familiar with this teaching and may not be as surprised as the nations were. For instance, could you imagine Mother Theresa asking ‘when did we see you hungry or thirsty’?

Jesus is comparing two groups of people: those who Believe and do things in Christ and for Christ and those who do things in Christ for self-gratification… the best example in Scriptures is that of the Pharisee and the Publican: the Pharisee knows about God and what God Commands and he executes God’s Commandments to the letter but his rendering is void since his heart and mind are not on God but on himself… he pats himself on the back, claims Salvation by his own merits, and dismisses all others as unrighteous and unfit; the Publican comes to God’s House in complete submission; he recognizes his sinful nature and understands that he is not worthy to be in God’s presence… he asks for forgiveness and mercy and God Grants him Forgiveness and Mercy!

When Believers go through the motions and execute the Word to the letter but do not humble themselves to God, do not recognize their sinfulness, do not recognize their complete dependence upon God’s Grace and Mercy… they cannot serve Christ in Love and humility… these may have the visible manifestation of the Holy Spirit (knowledge, gifts, supernatural abilities) but they never Knew Christ!

…sadly, many do tend to think that only the atheists and non-Believers will fail to gain Salvation… that somehow they are beyond fault and that their Salvation is fully granted… well… think about it… how many atheists will great you with “Christ Loves you!” or do anything in Christ’s Name and for Christ?

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

I will be honest, and please know that I am in no way being judgmental: I have experienced in other brothers in Christ (and, quite a few times, done so personally) that it is not so natural to recognize the Lord in those who are sick or starving or imprisoned.

Often we are moved to judge them very harshly, to believe that they got to be that way because of their actions and thus they deserve the sufferings, or simply we cannot see the good and merciful Jesus reflected in people seemingly full of imperfections. Thus, instead of loving the sinner and hating the sins and the father of all lies, we hate the sinner or, at least, do not care about him.

And whose will be “the greater sin”, if not of those who had received the teaching and did not keep it in their hearts? How could we compare it to that of the nations which did not know Christ, those very nations that the Lord commanded us to make disciples among?

Truly, “if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive?”

…it is also easier to blame others than to commit fully in the service of Christ… much like the wealthy young man who totally adhered to the Commandments but could not see himself departing from his privileged life to follow (serve) Christ.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[nordskoven]

I think Matthew 25 illustrates the breadth of “No salvation outside the Church.” This is wider than being Catholic. There is, as St. Paul says, salvation for those who see and are moved to love God from His creation. That salvific grace does subsist in the Church, because the Church is in Christ Himself, the Church being the Body of Christ. Those salvific, faithful acts in response to the grace of sensing His being in the downtrodden, a presence as invisible as His His presence in the Eucharist, comes from their invisible intimacy with the Person of Christ. This faith response, then, is from sensing God’s being in encountering His human creation made in His image and likeness; and Christ’s invisible presence with the suffering.

Mother Teresa didn’t “see” Christ in the poor and dying. She had an illuminating (for us) dryness throughout her Christian life. I believe that Christ veils His special unity with saints, those who serve as well as those who are served, for a reason. When we are so close to Him, it invites demonic oppression. To protect us, Christ “disappears” in a wonderful closeness seen as “dryness” in comparison to those who have had other more easily grasped experiences of His presence. This dampens the wrath of Satan. Christ unites with us so intimately He seems to disappear, and is sensed only subtly, yet powerfully, as one views one’s own cheek–there, but not quite within visual range.

Here is the precious gift from Christ’s Church to us: to feed our intellect that thrives on knowing God on that level when the formerly-sustaining intimacy that is more easily viewed–yet is a greater “apartness”–is tightened up into greater oneness with Christ. Teresa of Avila and Teresa of Calcutta both experienced this saintly unity with Christ characterized as “dryness” as compared to their former more easily perceived relationship when He was actually more at arm’s length. God is paradox, after all.