Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
Matthew 25:31-46
We are making a movie. This is a big movie. This is a very, very big movie. As big as the world.
There are camera crews and sound crews and wires and lights everywhere. There is a cast of thousands. Millions actually. Even more. Exactly 6,630,941,193 and counting. Everybody in the world.
There are Buddhists and Taoists and Muslims and Christians and Jews Hindus and . . . There are people of all kinds and sizes and colors and cultures and relgions. And they are all gathered before the throne of the Monarch.
The Monarch. The Emperor. God actually.
And in the middle of the crowd is someone called “the Child of Humanity”. Or, the “son of adam.” The Christ, actually.
From a loud speaker comes a huge voice – loud enough to be heard by all those people. Loud enough to be heard around the world.
“Quiet on the set!” Everybody and everything becomes quiet. Even the wind stops blowng. Even the waves stop lapping the shore.
“Lights! Cameras! Action!” And the greatest drama of all time begins.
The Monarch stands and motions toward the Child of Humanity.
Divide them! Divide the sheep from the goats. The good from the bad. The worthy from the unworthy. Place the sheep on my right and the goats on my left.
Slowly the Child of Humanity – the Christ walks through the crowd, looking every single one of them in the eye in a process that takes an eternity but happens in an instant. And some move to the right and some move to the left. Some are called sheep and some are called goats.
Then the Monarch speaks to those assembled on the right.
Come, you that are blessed. Inherit the realm of love prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
I was naked and you gave me clothing,
I was sick and you took care of me,
I was in prison and you visited me.'
A murmur of confusion runs through the crowd assembled at the Monarch's right hand. Each of them individually and all of them together ask the question.
Really? Are you sure? When was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink?”
Then the Monarch smiles a tiny smile, a gentle smile that circles the earth in a rainbow of joy.
Let me tell you this. Just as you did it to one of the least of these my children – my family, you did it to me.
Even more confusion runs through those on the Monarch's right hand.
But. . . But . . . we didn't know it was you. We just did it because they needed it . . . we thought they were just people.
Again the Monarch smiled. Again the smile rainbowed around the earth. Then the Monarch's smile became a frown and crackled in darkness and thunder that rattled around the world.
You! You, get away from me. Get out of my sight.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food.
I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink.
I was a stranger and you did not welcome me.
Naked and you did not give me clothing.
Sick and in prison and you did not visit me.
A murmur of confusion and fear runs through the crowd assembled at the Monarch's left hand. Each of them individually and all of them together ask the question.
Really? Are you sure? When was it that we saw you hungry and gave you no food? Or thirsty and gave you nothing to drink?”
The Monarch fixes each of the goats on the left with a withering, terrible, loving, agonizing gaze. There is a tear in the Monarch's eye and a softness in the fearful voice.
Let me tell you this. Just as you did not do it for one of the least of these my children – my family, you did not do it for me.
Even more confusion runs through those on the Monarch's left hand. Fear, confusion on their faces.
But. . . But . . . we didn't know it was you. We just didn't do it because. . . we thought they were just people. They were just ordinary people.
Deep sadness, profound sorrow shadowed the Monarch's face. The Monarch mourned – grieved – for those who had not given of themselves – who had not showed the face of kindness to others. And slowly, very slowly, walked away.
Story based on the reading
Ralph's list of readings and stories
 See also:
Lectionary Story Bible, Year A,
page 242.
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