Gospel News — May-Aug 2013

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should we use this priceless blessing of life? Should our Lord return this year, what would he require of us? For what is he searching as he examines our thoughts, aspirations and activities daily in the life he gives us? This is revealed in Matthew 25: 31 "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? Or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." The words in purple reveal the action followed by observation of the situation of others.

Many of us are aware of the suffering and hopeless situation of the occupants in the refugee camps, our brethren included. Jesus is seeing this also and feeling for them because he has gone through these experiences personally and witnessed them in the life of those around him, and in his great compassion for them, responded to their situation in feeding, healing, comforting and raising the dead. He is therefore observing the way we are reacting to the distressing position of our brethren, and will bring this

matter to our attention on his return. Because we are so far removed from them and not personally witnessing their experiences, we find it difficult to address their problem. But we can use our imagination, by trying to put ourselves in their place to get an idea of what they are going through . Not too long ago we saw what happened during the storm, Sandy, in the USA – the devastation, hopelessness of people losing their homes and belongings overnight necessitating accommodation in shelters – although these shelters would be far more comfortable than the refugee camps. When we retire in our comfortable beds at nights, let us think of the condition in which our Brethren. must sleep. After a satisfying meal, when we sometimes dump leftovers, let us remember that our brethren do not have enough to eat, as there is not enough food to satisfy everyone and they must make do with what is handed to them. When we are providing for our children's future, our Brethren. must sit and wonder what would become of their little ones, as there is nothing that they could do for them in their state of helplessness, and they have no idea of what their future would be.

We are aware that there are brethren who are doing what they can to give some relief, but this way, their situation would still remain indefinitely insecure and hopeless because they can see no way out. The only solution is to resettle them in stable areas, preferably close to established and settled ecclesias who could continue to assist them. This way they would have a sense of independence and control over their affairs.

The year is still ahead of us, God willing, and we could use a lot of the time he has given us to think of the action we could take to practically ease the suffering of our brethren, who are his children. This way we express our thankfulness for his love in his blessing of this precious time in the life he gives us each day, by loving him with all our heart, our soul, our mind and loving our neighbor as ourselves.