The Final Judgment #1768 (Prose)

The Final Judgment God's love extends profoundly to those often overlooked by society: the black sheep, the odd ducks, the rejects, the eccentrics, the loners, the lost, and the forgotten. He sees beyond their outward appearances and recognizes the beauty within their souls. "Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?" His profound response, "I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it for me," captures the essence of His message (Matthew 25:37-40). In loving and serving these individuals, we are, in truth, loving and serving Christ Himself. God's love shines bright on those unseen, The black sheep, odd ducks, and lost souls keen, Rejects and loners, eccentric and meek, In their hearts, God's beauty speaks. "Lord, when did we see you in hunger's despair, And offer food with tender care? When did we see you thirsty and dry, And give you drink, as we walked by? When did we find you sick, in need, Or visit you in prison, planting love's seed?" The answer from Jesus, simple and pure, A truth eternal, forever secure: "When you cared for the least, with compassion's embrace, You tended to me, in every face. In serving the lost, the forgotten, the small, You loved your Lord, the Creator of all." So let us love with hearts open wide, Embrace the rejected, with Christ as our guide. For in the least of these, His presence is known, In every act of kindness, His love is shown. -Steven G. Lee (June 12, 2024)