The Least of These

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'
Matthew 25:40

This morning I am struck with the depth of these words and the breadth of their application. Simply, yes, feeding, clothing, and sheltering are easily recognizable recipients. And, the not so easy, those annoying, get-under-your-skin people you might be around on a basis more often than you would like. 

For the most part, it is easy, or, I should say easier, to see and meet the need of the materially impoverished. However, what if the "least of these" are those persons whose emotional and spiritual life is found to be in need?

Surely, even if it is not on a daily basis, we too, know this sense of need in ourselves, therefore making it possible to see the need in others.

How shall we respond?

Patience, gentleness, love.

Only by the grace of God, go you or I…