More Than Physical

“35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “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 25:35-40

Reflecting on the Mass Incarcerations in the United States gives one a feeling of agitation. Nonetheless, I admire and appreciate the Obama administration for being graceful beyond the law to help citizens who have been behind bars for a number of decades and for taking initiatives to give prisoners a chance to recover gradually and ensure their lives’ stability and progress. I am also reflective of the fact that these things are just examples of what we can do as Christians – to love our neighbors and welcome them with open hearts.

Doing little things to our neighbors is a manifestation of love itself. We can Involve ourselves in initiatives which we may see as insignificant, but may mean big to others. We can all do something that can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors even in our local communities.  Personally, I feel it is joyful to serve and it is fulfilling to live out our Christian duty of helping others beyond their physical needs. When we have the burning passion and interest to help save lives, it gases up our actions and makes us help eagerly and joyfully.

Outreach. As individuals and as a church, reaching out to others by providing their basic needs like clothes, food or medicine, or even helping them build their shelter, requires money. Then we may be so engrossed in raising funds that we fail to see the other side, or the deeper meaning of “outreach”.  Sometimes, people may need more than physical aid.

More than physical. People suffering from emotional trauma or pain need a listening ear, and sometimes it’s good to be in their presence. Knowing that someone is there, ready to listen as they vent out their plights, may be more important to them than material things. We may never know the extent of the impact of our presence with anyone agonizing emotionally and mentally. Our presence is a way of giving them encouragement

Comeback is real, as they say. Inevitably in life, these brothers and sisters may have made mistakes. But we are here to welcome them again. We are not there to tell them they have sinned, that they are wrong, or that they deserve their plight. But as brothers and sisters it is our role to give them hope and show them that we are more than just individuals who give materially, but we are friends who are ready to offer our shoulders to cry on or lend a helping hand to bear a load. In karaoke mode, we can say “you’ve got a friend in me.”

Just like the Samaritan who relentlessly helped his enemy, or like the father who welcomed his prodigal son, or like David who remembered mercy and kindness through Abigail, we should also remember to give unconditional love to our neighbors, just like the unconditional love Jesus gave to us.

Kevin John Maddela
EYA Summer Intern 2017
National Religious Partnership for the Environment
Blog # 6