Matthew 25:35-40
“for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink? When did we see you a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’ “The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
This passage is part of a longer teaching by Jesus, found in the Gospel of Matthew, delivered to his disciples as he prepares them for his absence and the coming of his kingdom. He is describing the final judgment, and surprisingly connects acts of care for the vulnerable with care for himself.
How might recognizing the presence of the divine in those experiencing poverty or hardship change our practical actions?