Seeing Christ in Others: Reflection on Matthew 25:31-46

Seeing Christ in Others: Homily on Matthew 25:31-46
Reflection - Syro Malabar Daily Reading - 13-10-2024, Sunday

Today’s Gospel passage, Matthew 25:31-46, presents the Final Judgment, that each one of us must face. Here, Jesus’ words are striking: “Whatever you did to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did to me.” This simple yet profound message teaches us to see Christ in others, especially in those who are most vulnerable, forgotten, or in need.

Jesus makes it clear in this Gospel that He identifies Himself with the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned. He doesn’t just say, “Help them because it’s the right thing to do,” but “Help them because it is Me you are serving.” This is a radical shift in how we view the world. When we truly believe that Christ is present in others, especially the poor and the suffering, it changes how we live.

Let’s reflect on the life of Mother Teresa. She is a saint who understood this Gospel in a very literal way. She saw Christ in the faces of the poorest of the poor. For her, serving the dying in the streets wasn’t just an act of charity; it was an act of devotion, an encounter with Jesus Himself. Every sick or dying person she cared for was, in her eyes, Christ in disguise.

There’s a well-known story where a man once observed Mother Teresa cleaning the wounds of a leper. The man, watching in disgust, said, “I wouldn’t do that for a million dollars.” Mother Teresa calmly replied, “Neither would I. But I would do it for Christ.” This simple statement reflects the heart of today’s Gospel. Mother Teresa wasn’t serving because of money, recognition, or even because it was a nice thing to do. She served because she saw Christ in every person she touched, no matter how disfigured, dirty, or sick they were.

Seeing Christ in others doesn’t require us to travel to distant lands or serve in extreme poverty. It can happen right here in our daily lives. In the people we meet every day, in the ordinary interactions we have with others, Jesus is present. He is in the elderly person who feels lonely, the child who needs guidance, or the companion who is going through a difficult time. Seeing Christ in others transforms the way we serve. When we see Jesus in the poor, the sick, and the lonely, our service is no longer a duty but an act of love. We begin to realize that we are not just helping people; we are encountering the living God in those we serve. This perspective gives our actions deeper meaning and purpose.

This Gospel reminds us that this service starts with how we see others. When you look at the face of a person in need, do you see Christ? Let us serve others with the love and devotion that we would give to Christ Himself. For, as Jesus reminds us, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Amen.