The Unseen Christ:
Serving the Least Among Us
In today's powerful parable (Matthew 25:31-46) of the Final Judgment, Jesus reveals a profound truth that challenges our everyday perception: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
These words strip away our comfortable illusions. Christ doesn't merely ask us to help others out of moral obligation - He identifies Himself completely with the suffering. The hungry person isn't just someone who needs food; they are Christ hungry. The stranger isn't just someone needing welcome; they are Christ seeking shelter. The prisoner isn't just someone in isolation; they are Christ confined.
How many times have we passed by Christ today without recognizing Him?
Our world makes it easy to render the suffering invisible. We create physical and mental barriers - gated communities, diverted gazes, scrolling past uncomfortable news. We cultivate blindness to preserve our comfort. Yet Jesus declares that our eternal destiny hinges on our response to those we've rendered invisible.
The challenge before us is radical: to see Christ in everyone, especially those society deems unimportant.
Consider: What if you performed acts of mercy in complete secrecy? What if no one knew about your generosity except you and God? There is something powerfully life-changing about helping others without seeking recognition or praise. This sacred secrecy purifies our intentions and draws us closer to serving out of genuine love rather than social approval.
Perhaps the Lord is calling you to extraordinary generosity - covering someone's rent for a couple of months, anonymously paying a family's utility bills so that there is credit on their account, or finding other ways to make a meaningful difference in someone's life. These acts might seem impossible, but when we open ourselves to divine guidance, remarkable paths of service appear. Remember, no public posts about it and seek no praise.
The question isn't whether we can afford such generosity, but whether we can afford not to see Christ in others.
Today, ask yourself: Where is Jesus Christ hungry in my community? Where is He thirsty? Where is He a stranger? Where is He naked, ill, or imprisoned? And then - this is crucial - allow yourself to be uncomfortable with the answers.
Our Lord doesn't call us to comfortable charity. He calls us to an amazing life-changing encounter. In serving those suffering and having it difficult, we don't just help them - we meet Christ Himself, and in doing so, we ourselves are transformed.
What will you do today to serve Christ in disguise?
©2025 James Dacey Jr.
