March 4, 2026

By Father William Muench
NCC columnist

During Lent, the Sacred Scripture readings at the daily Masses are like a class in spirituality for each of us. It is a time for personal renewal. This is the Lord’s program – the path to becoming a saint. It is also the path for bringing happiness into our lives.

Today, I would like to invite you to consider with me again the Gospel reading for Monday of the First Week of Lent. I am certain that you will remember this reading. This Gospel is a parable of Jesus – Matthew 25 – The Parable of the Judgment of the Nations. It is a perfect Scripture for a Lenten Journey. I believe that this parable in Jesus’ day was a surprise for the people, even for the apostles. Even today, many are surprised as Jesus describes the Final Judgment.

So, let me remind you of this parable. The story begins with a separation of the saved from the others. The story involves a king, who we are certain is an image of Jesus. Jesus welcomes the righteous to the Kingdom of Heaven. And he tells them why: I was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, ill, in prison, but you cared for me. The chosen ask when they saw Jesus. He tells them – “whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Jesus identifies with the needy.

The parable continues that Jesus rejects the others. Why? Jesus says I was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, ill, in prison, but you did not do anything for me. They ask when they saw Jesus in need. Jesus responds, “whatever you did not do for these least brothers and sisters of mine, you did not do for me.” Jesus again identifies with the needy.

In this parable, Jesus teaches us something important about becoming a saint and about finding happiness also. Are you surprised with Jesus’ description of the final judgment? It is all about our relationships with others.

Let’s consider one of these – welcoming a stranger. What does this mean to you? Let me offer my thoughts. We must remember the great commandment: Love God above all and love your neighbor as yourself. How do I treat others, those strangers that enter my life? Do I welcome people who are different from me politically, culturally, socially? Do I treat them with dignity as we are challenged to do by the Lord? Is prejudice a problem for me?

Remember Jesus entered this world as a stranger. Each of us must decide if Jesus is still a stranger to us. Do I have a good relationship with the Lord Jesus? Do I constantly welcome Jesus into my heart? Is my heart configured to Jesus? Notice that the sin of the condemned is not violence; it is their omission. They simply failed to act.

Now one more thing: today, as I have shared with you before, my personal guide this Lent is Isaiah, the prophet. This week I have been meditating on Isaiah, Chapter 42. In this chapter, the prophet describes the coming Messiah as the Servant of the Lord. This chapter is one of the chapters of Isaiah called the Song of the Suffering Servant. Our Messiah comes to us as a servant, a suffering servant, to win us salvation. The prophet tells us that the Messiah will bring God’s justice, leading us to right judgment but always with tender gentleness. We are called by the Lord to bring God’s love, peace and justice in all that we do. Our Messiah’s justice is not harsh domination. Rather it is a quiet, patient, healing restoration. He will not cry out or shout. Rather, in gentleness, he comes as a servant.