“Grateful and Gracious” – Matt 25:31-46 – November 23, 2008
This Thanksgiving many families will gather together and take turns at the family dinner, stating what they are thankful for. It’s that one time of year when we focus on what we have rather than what we don’t have. Let’s be honest, it’s not always easy to be grateful to God for what we do have. We spend most of our time complaining about the problems in our lives. We lament over the good old days, we moan about our current economy, we are filled with self pity over our health problems and we grieve over our misfortunes.
When life is overwhelming it is not easy to have a thankful spirit. Perhaps Thanksgiving provides an opportunity for self-examination. For some it can be a reality check. Is life really that bad or do I have a bad attitude?
In the last few chapters in Matthew, Jesus has been describing what it means to be in the kingdom of heaven. He has provided us with a series of “benchmarks” or indicators that enable us to reach the Pearly Gates. At some point we will be held accountable for out attitudes. Just as a shepherd separates the goats from the sheep, God will separate those who are not grateful with those who are.
Why sheep and goats? Both are domestic animals which provide clothing and food for us. Goats however are difficult to manage. They like to wander. They are impulsive and whimsical. Sadly, goats will stay with their own breed and not mix with other animals. In other words, they are unto themselves, not willing to mingle with those who are different.
The primary benchmark which describes the sheep, or true follower of Jesus are those who feed the hungry, provide clothing for those who have none, give shelter to the homeless, attend to the sick and visit prisoners. Rather than interact with these folks, we tend to associate with people who are just like us.
It is much easier to make judgments about those who are unfortunate in this life than it is to reach out to them. Several weeks ago I was helping a family who had no food. I found some resources but the family did not own a car. I offered to drive them there but they had children. I said I couldn’t let children ride in my van without a seatbelt. To be honest, I really didn’t want to be responsible for some poor kids riding in my van. Their mother said she would ask her sister to watch the children while she went with me to get food. When I arrived at the house, the woman was waiting in the front yard with a car seat in her hand.
That incident reminded me that this poor woman had a sense of responsibility. What’s more, she respected me for making sure that her children riding with me would abide by my standards. The goat in me said, “I’d rather not have to deal with transporting poor kids.” But, the sheep in me said, “This family is hungry and I can give them something to eat.”
For me, this was an attitude check. After spending some time with those kids, seeing their poor living conditions and their mother’s desperation, I was grateful for what I have. While she has to walk to work, walk to the grocery store and walk her children to school, I am free to drive anywhere I please.
Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave me food.” His followers said, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food?” Jesus replied, “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.”
Gratefulness requires humility. It means we have to be willing to reach beyond our familiar, safe and traditional circles to people who have need.
Casey Crandall belonged to a church that participated in the Appalachia Service Project. One week each summer, a group traveled in Appalachia to build homes for families there. One summer their client family lived in a trailer. It was in very poor condition and badly in need of repairs. They built a new home for the family and they were overwhelmed with their new home. It contained three bedrooms, a bath and kitchen and family room.
The group asked the three boys in the family what they wanted for their new bedroom. They anticipated the boys to say, posters, toys or games. Jose, the oldest said, “I just want a bed.” Casey was stunned. The boys had never slept in a bed. They had only slept on foam pads. The group went to a nearby city and purchased three beds, complete with linens. Later they returned and set up the beds while the boys were at school. When the boys saw their new beds they were enthusiastic. While they were gleaming over their new beds, one of the workers slipped a pillow case on one of the pillows. “What is that?” Eric asked. “A pillow,” Meggan replied. “What do you do with it?” he inquired. “When you lay down to go to sleep you put your head on it.” The boys had never seen pillows before. (from Chicken Soup for the Volunteer’s Soul, “The Pillow”)
When we are grateful we are gracious. When we appreciate what God has done for us, we are willing to be gracious to others. Giving financial gifts help, but real, hands on aid, brings us up close and personal with folks who have needs. It is when we leave the herd and mingle with folks who are different from us that we fully understand what Jesus meant by attending to “the least of these.”
I have a colleague who traveled to Brazil recently. His church is working with a sister church in a community where they have constructed a clinic. All the medical aid is free to the villagers. The project now includes a hostel, so folks who travel a great distance can stay with members of their families.
They don’t have churches like ours. Instead they worship in homes, make-shift sanctuaries and even garages. My friend had the opportunity to worship in a garage that a family had renovated. He also had an opportunity to visit their home. Their home was very plain. Part of the floor was dirt. The walls needed painting and they had little furniture. On the other hand, the garage was beautifully decorated. The garage floor had new tile and the walls were freshly painted. This particular family had made sacrifices in their living quarters so the village would have a beautiful place to worship.
When we are grateful we have been humbled. When we are grateful we are gracious toward others. As Jesus said, “Those who are gracious will inherit eternal life.” Sheep follow the great shepherd. Sheep attend to the least while the goats keep to themselves. On this Thanksgiving may we all be grateful for our abundance yet mindful of those around us who are in need of God’s grace.
Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio