In recent days, I have shared or re-shared accounts of times in my life when strangers have shown me kindness. There was the time when I was 18 attempting to drive home in a snowstorm, when I lost control, sending my car into the ditch, and the multiple people who were at the right place at the right time and shown me, a stranger, great kindness. And there was the kindness of the worker at a store who, initially unbeknownst to me, blessed me with a 6-foot Christmas tree for the price of a 4-foot tree. And then there was the account of the maintenance worker at the St. Louis airport who, when I was lost, took the time to show me where I needed to go. It seems like there have been many times in my life when others have shown me as a stranger kindness; and yet in my ponderance, I don’t recall many times when I myself have shown kindness to strangers.

I believe there are times in our lives when God places people into our lives for a reason. But do we see them? Or in our busyness, do we walk on by and ignore them?

I've heard the saying of God, “What have you done for me lately?” But maybe God asks us the same question, “What have YOU done for ME lately?

In Matthew 25:35c in speaking about the judgment to his disciples, Jesus included, “‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me’” (RSV). Conversely in verse 43a, Jesus included, “‘I was a stranger and you did not welcome me’” (RSV). Then clarifying for his disciples in verse 45b, “‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.’” (RSV)

Christianity is an action word—not just believing, but putting that belief into action, serving others and being Jesus to those around us.

Jesus admonishes us: “I was a stranger…”—did you welcome me? or turn away?

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