Joshua Bennett
When did you see me hungry? is a phrase attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of caring for those in need. In this passage, Jesus equates acts of kindness and compassion towards the least fortunate among us with acts of love and honour towards him. This theme is echoed in the First Epistle of John, which emphasizes that true love is demonstrated through deeds and truth rather than just words. This concept, known as faith in action, is a central tenet of Catholic teaching and underscores the belief that showing love and mercy to others is a fundamental aspect of discipleship and holiness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Book | Matthew |
| Chapter | 25 |
| Verse | 35-36, 38–42, 44–45 |
| Speaker | Jesus |
| Recipients | Disciples |
| Message | Help those in need |
| Consequence | Eternal life/Eternal punishment |
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What You'll Learn
Jesus' words in the Gospel
In the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 25, Jesus speaks of the importance of caring for those in need. He says:
> "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 clothed me; I was sick, and you took care of me; I was in prison, and you visited me."
Jesus' disciples then ask him: "Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?"
Jesus replies:
> Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me... Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."
This passage highlights Jesus' emphasis on serving and caring for those in need. By helping "the least of these", we are serving Jesus himself. This call to action is a central tenet of the Catholic faith, emphasizing missionary discipleship and the belief that all members of the faithful are called to holiness and mission.
The beloved disciple John also writes about the importance of love and compassion for our brothers and sisters:
> We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him...If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him?"
These words of Jesus in the Gospel, remind Catholics of their duty to care for the least fortunate and to see Jesus in those they serve.
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The Parable of the Talents
The man gives his first servant five talents, the second servant two talents, and the final servant one talent, "to each according to his ability". While the first two servants go on to double the number of talents given to them, pleasing their master, the third servant, fearful, instead buries his talent in the ground. When the master returns, he is pleased with the servants who have doubled their talents and entrusts them with greater responsibilities. However, he is furious with the third servant, calling him "wicked and lazy", and orders that the talent be taken from him and given to the one with ten.
However, some have found the parable confusing and concerning, as the master appears harsh and demanding, and the servants seem to be treated unfairly. Despite this, the parable ultimately symbolises God's generosity and the superabundance of His grace, which can overcome our fears and limitations.
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The disciples' question
In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus says:
> “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."
The disciples then ask:
> "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?"
Jesus replies:
> "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."
This passage highlights the importance of caring for those in need. It is a reminder that showing love and compassion towards others, especially the less fortunate, is an integral part of Christian faith. By helping those in need, we are ultimately showing our love and devotion to God.
This concept is further reinforced by the words of the beloved disciple John, who writes:
> "If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth."
John's statement emphasizes that true love for God is demonstrated through tangible acts of love and compassion towards others. It is not enough to merely speak of love; it must be accompanied by actions that make a positive difference in the lives of those around us.
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The King's reply
The King begins his reply by addressing those on his right, saying, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." He then goes on to describe the righteous acts that they have done for "the least of these brothers and sisters": feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, caring for the ill, and visiting the imprisoned.
The righteous, confused, ask the King when they had done these things for him, to which the King replies, "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." This statement emphasizes the belief that serving others is akin to serving God himself. By helping those in need, the righteous have shown their love and devotion to the King.
The King then turns to those on his left and delivers a stark contrast to his previous message. He says, "Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Here, he is condemning those who have failed to help "the least of these." They have neglected to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the ill, and visit the imprisoned. When questioned by these individuals, the King replies, "Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me." This reply underscores the importance of not only doing good deeds but also actively avoiding indifference or neglect towards those in need.
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The ultimate focus
The passage, found in Matthew 25:35-45, depicts a conversation between Jesus and his disciples, where Jesus states that whatever they did for "the least of these", they did for him. This includes providing food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, and visiting those in prison.
The first part of the passage highlights the positive actions of the righteous, who are invited to inherit the kingdom. The second part focuses on those who did not provide aid, and they are told to depart into the eternal fire. This contrast emphasizes the importance of helping those in need and the consequences of neglecting them.
The underlying message is that showing compassion and empathy towards others, especially the most vulnerable, is a way to honour God and demonstrate our love for him. This is further emphasized by the disciple John's letters, which state that "whoever does not love remains in death" and that true love is shown through deeds and actions, not just words.
Therefore, the ultimate focus of this passage is on the importance of recognizing Jesus in those who are suffering and in need, and responding with compassion and practical help. It serves as a reminder that our actions towards others have spiritual significance and that our treatment of the least fortunate among us reflects our love for God.
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Frequently asked questions
The phrase is from the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible, where Jesus says: "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 clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison, and you visited me."
The phrase reminds Catholics of their duty to help those in need and to show love and mercy to others.
According to the Bible, those who have shown compassion and helped those in need will be blessed by God, while those who have ignored the needs of others will be cursed.
The phrase encourages Christians to address social issues such as poverty and injustice and to be generous in helping those who are hungry, thirsty, homeless, or in need.
Some practical ways to live out these teachings include volunteering at soup kitchens or homeless shelters, donating to charities that help those in need, and advocating for social justice issues.
