To find him in those in need

When I read words such as these, “To find him in those in need”, I’m always reminded of a passage from Matthew’s Gospel — read the full passage here (Matthew 25:31-45), but here are a couple of verses to serve as a reminder:

I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.

Matthew 25:35-36

It does help that there is the reminder I frequently see in the stained-glass window, part of which is pictured at the top of this post, above the St Ann altar at Godmanchester Church which depicts this very passage. It’s a wonderful window, quite possibly my favourite of all the lovely Victorian stained-glass in Church.

We should be caring for those in need simply because they are in need and we’re in a position to help. But we, as Christians, have an even greater incentive than that. We know that when we feed the hungry; give the thirsty a drink; welcome the stranger; clothe the naked; care for the sick; or help anyone in need, no matter who they are; we know that we’re helping more than them, we’re helping Christ himself.

“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.”

Matthew 25:40

Now, if only I could always remember that when I see the person in need, rather than thinking about what I could have done afterwards. I want to do the right thing all the time, not just when my awful memory works at the right time.

It’s good for me to be reminded of these things, especially in the Christmas Season. When those in need will have felt their need even more than normal, and those with an excess will have been celebrating it.

God our Father,
in love you sent your Son
that the world may have life:
lead us to seek him among the outcast
and to find him in those in need,
for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

Additional Collect for The Second Sunday of Christmas
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council