2/13/08:

Scripture Reflection - Judy Brown '08

Judy
A reading from the 25th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew

 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit upon His glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before Him.  And He will separate them from one another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.  Then the king will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father.  Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me to eat…

Katie
I stand in line at Paul’s Pantry and the NEW Community Shelter in Green Bay waiting for something to eat to satisfy my physical hunger.  Will you volunteer to help feed my family?

Linda
I am a classmate who doesn’t know what church is about though I hunger for a closer relationship with God.  Will you share your understanding of God with me despite what your peers might think?

Ryan
I learn more slowly than others and hunger for the knowledge my peers possess.  Will you volunteer to tutor and mentor me and others like me to help us satisfy our hunger for knowledge?

Kristen
What are you hungry for?

Allow yourself to be fed.

Judy
I was thirsty and you gave me to drink…

Linda
I stand on the street corner in your town in need of something to quench my thirst.  Will you offer some of your water?

Ryan
I am an outcast in society in search of the love and acceptance that will sustain me.  Will you befriend me?

Kristen
I come to your church seeking the presence of the Spirit of God to nurture me and give me life.  Will you welcome me to the table of God without judgment so I might quench this thirst?

Katie
What are you thirsty for?

Open yourself to God so your thirst may be quenched.)

Judy
I was a stranger and you welcomed me….

Ryan
I am one of the 125 exchange students who are on campus here at St. Norbert.  Will you welcome me?

Kristen
I am of a religious tradition other than your own.  Will you accept my traditions and come to worship with me?

Katie
I am a transfer student or new faculty member on campus.  Will you introduce me to yourself and your friends?

Linda
When have you felt like a stranger?

Feel Christ welcoming you to Himself.

Judy
I was naked and you clothed me…

Kristen
We are a family in your town who has lost everything in a house fire.  Will donate some of your clothing to us?

Katie
I am poor and vulnerable and longing for some sort of dignity.  Will you recognize my existence?

Linda
I am an elderly man who can no longer keep up my home and yard.  Will you offer to help me keeping in mind my pride and dignity?

Ryan
When have you been naked and vulnerable?

Let yourself be clothed with the love of God.

Judy
I was ill and you comforted me…

Katie
I am in a nursing home with no family in the area.  Will you come and sit with me for awhile?

Linda
I just lost my husband of 55 years and am mad at God for taking him from me.  Will call with some kind words of faith and hope to lift my spirits and strengthen my faith in God?

Ryan
I am the victim of a social ill known as racism.  Will you stand beside me and support my rights despite what your peers might believe?

Kristen
What ill have you experienced?

Feel the healing energy of Christ all around you.

Judy
I was in prison and you visited me…

Linda
I am a young person in juvenile detention.  Will you come and visit me and accept me without judgment?

Ryan
I am mentally ill and imprisoned by fear.  Will you treat me with respect and love when you encounter me?

Kristen
I am physically handicapped and imprisoned by the rejection I feel when others see me.  Will you accept me for my capabilities instead of shunning me for my limitations?

Katie
When have you felt imprisoned?

Allow Christ to unchain you with His love and acceptance.

Judy
Then the righteous will answer Him and say, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or thirsty and give you to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and welcome you or naked and clothe you?  When did we see you ill or imprisoned and visit you?”  And the king will say to them in reply, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did for me.”