W hen Martin of Tours (who lived in the 4th century), a young Roman soldier and seeker of the Christian faith, met an unclothed man begging for alms in the freezing cold, he stopped and cut his coat in two and gave half to the stranger. That night he dreamt he saw the heavenly court with Jesus robed in a torn cloak. One of the angels present asked, "Master, why do you wear that battered cloak?" Jesus replied, "My servant Martin gave it to me." Martin’s disciple and biographer Sulpicius Severus states that as a consequence of this vision Martin “flew to be baptized.”

Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle

1 Peter 5:1-4

M atthew 25:31-46 "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. (32) Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, (33) and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. (34) Then the King will say to those at his right hand, `Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; (35) for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, (36) I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' (37) Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? (38) And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? (39) And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' (40) And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' (4)1 Then he will say to those at his left hand, `Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; (42) for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, (43) I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' (44) Then they also will answer, `Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' (45) Then he will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' (46) And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Meditation by Don Schwager

Do you know God's love and do you allow the love of God to rule in your heart – in all of your thoughts, intentions, and attitudes – and in the way you relate to others? How we treat our neighbor – both those who bring us joy and friendship and those who cause us grief and trouble – has consequences both for the present and the future. If we harbor ill thoughts towards others and allow the root of bitterness to grow in our hearts, it will keep us from seeking their good and relating to them with selfless concern for their welfare. True love seeks the good of others regardless of how they treat us in kind. God loved us first – even when we were his enemies – when we ignored him, rejected him, and refused to believe and obey his word. That is why the Father sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world but to save it through the sacrifice of his son 's atoning death on the cross for our sins (John 3:16-17). Only God's purifying love and grace can free our hearts of pride, envy, selfishness, bitterness, greed, and hatred. Paul the Apostle tells us that "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). God's love has power to change and heal us and makes us whole. Do you believe that God is at work in you to change and transform you into the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18)?

God will judge us, not on how much we have acquired or accomplished in this life, but on how much we have loved and forgiven others and shared with them God's mercy, kindness, and goodness. The one and only test that really counts is the measure to which we loved God in his truth and goodness and how much we shared that love with our neighbor as well. If we tolerate sinful attitudes and behavior, our hearts will become cold and hardened and unable to love and forgive others. The ultimate consequence of sin is eternal separation from God and the community of redeemed sinners who have been washed clean in the blood of the spotless lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ who gave his life for us upon the cross for our salvation. Just as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats at night so they can rest in peace, so God will separate those who have accepted his love and grace from those who have rejected it through unbelief and disobedience. Separation is an inevitable consequence of sin and judgment. The Day of Judgment will reveal who showed true love, compassion, and mercy toward their neighbor.

This parable is similar to the parable about Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31). The rich man, who let Lazarus die on his doorstep, was doomed to a life of eternal misery. Separated by the abyss of hell, he craved for drops of cold water he had not thought of giving to the poor man who had begged at his door. When Martin of Tours (who lived in the 4th century), a young Roman soldier and seeker of the Christian faith, met an unclothed man begging for alms in the freezing cold, he stopped and cut his coat in two and gave half to the stranger. That night he dreamt he saw the heavenly court with Jesus robed in a torn cloak. One of the angels present asked, "Master, why do you wear that battered cloak?" Jesus replied, "My servant Martin gave it to me." Martin’s disciple and biographer Sulpicius Severus states that as a consequence of this vision Martin “flew to be baptized.”

God is gracious and merciful; his love compels us to treat others with mercy and kindness. When we do something for one of Christ's little ones, we do it for Christ himself. Do you treat your neighbor with mercy, kindness, and compassion as Christ has treated you?

"Lord Jesus, be the Ruler of my heart and the Master of my possessions. May your love burn away every selfish thought and bitter root that I may only think and act with charity

Supplementary Reading

Going Against the Flow

But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. ~ Numbers 14:10a

H ave you ever had to stand up against the majority for a cause that wasn't popular? God brought the Israelites out of Egypt and promised He would lead them into a land of milk and honey. The process of moving out of Egypt was difficult. They could no longer do things the old way, for the old ways didn't work in the desert. God provided for them during this journey. But there came a point in which the people forgot what God had said. Their discomfort changed their belief about God.

Whenever God is slow to answer our prayers, what we believe about God is revealed. Do we change our plans and move in a different direction when pressure mounts? Or do we continue on the path God has directed for us? Four men believed what God said and were willing to stand; however, the crowd wanted to stone them.

Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them." But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting to all the Israelites (Numbers 14:5-10).

Notice Joshua and Caleb's response to the situation. They had spied the land. They believed God. They challenged the crowd. They seemed to know that if the Lord was not pleased with them they would not enter into the Promised Land. Those who grumbled did not enter the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb and a new generation saw the fulfillment of God's promise.

Has God called you to stand for a cause bigger than yourself? You will have opposition to His call; sometimes it even comes from those in your own camp. But if God has called you, then you can be sure He will make a way. He has already opened the way before you. But you must walk in faith, joined with Him to take the land.

...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9). -- OS Hillman