February 27, 2023
by Ann Mausbach
Creighton University's Education Department
click here for photo and information about the writer

Monday of the First Week of Lent
Lectionary: 224

Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18
Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15
Matthew 25:31-46

Praying Ordinary Time

Praying Lent Resources

The Second Week of Lent - 41 min. - Text Transcript

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer

Cooking Lent
Recipes for Ash Wednesday,
all the Fridays of Lent and for Good Friday

In a recent conversation with my 20-something year old sports minded sons they kept throwing around the term GOAT. Not exactly sure what this meant they explained to their boomer mother that it meant Greatest of All Time. The term, which was added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary back in 2018, is used to praise exceptional athletes, musicians and other celebrities for being the very best at what they do. A GOAT is a standout, someone whose performance is so exceptional it is above comparison to all others in their respective careers. No one can touch their performance — think Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, you get the picture. GOATS get attention and accolades for being extraordinary at what they do.

Even though this new definition of GOAT didn’t exist back when today’s gospel was written, the term and what it stands for can be applied to one of the central messages of this scripture. It isn’t the big grandiose actions in our lives that make a difference, we don’t have to be a GOAT, the biggest and best, we just have to take care of our fellow man. Today’s message isn’t so much about our final judgment as it is a calling to open our eyes to how to navigate our present world. 

In today’s gospel the righteous (the sheep) were so surprised about being chosen that they had to ask what they had done. After all they were just sheep, what had they done that was so exceptional? Jesus reminds them that they have extended the mercies of food, drink, hospitality, clothing, nursing care, and visitation to “the least of these” and that this is what is rewarded. Kindness and love. There was no calculation in their generosity. They gave because they were moved by human need — not by the potential for reward. They didn’t stand out and they didn’t even realize their actions stood out, they simply treated others with human dignity. 

Today’s gospel reminds us that these kinds of mercies are not out of our reach. All of us have the power to listen to a friend in distress, watch our friends' kids when the parents need help, support our local food bank, check in on the elderly neighbor who lives alone….etc. The list is endless. And within our grasp. The possibilities for mercy are boundless, just as human needs are boundless.

This week let’s remember that Jesus is everywhere. He is disguised in the overworked waitress, the homeless man on the corner, and the newly arrived refugee. Let’s remember that it's the ordinary day to day actions we take that make for greatness and eternal reward.  

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AnnMausbach@creighton.edu

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