Mtr Mary Trainor

Having heard all of this you may choose to look the other way but you can never again say you did not know.*

Dear friend,

This day marks the Church’s remembrance of William Wilberforce, member of the British Parliament, friend of John Newton (Amazing Grace), and a staunch and early promoter of “creation care.” Perhaps most notably, he was the man who led England to abolish slavery.

Like most human beings, he didn’t arrive at his ultimate understandings all at once. They came, as we say, in the fullness of time. But as the quote above says, once you know the truth of something, you can never again claim you did not know.

…you may choose to look the other way but you can never again say you did not know.

The Gospel selected for this day is perfect. Whatever we do with what we read there is up to us. But, after reading, we can never again claim innocence, claim we do not know what Jesus wants from us:

“…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.”

Then, to be perfectly clear, Jesus summarizes:

“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

I have always found this to be both convincing and convicting. We are, I am, called upon to serve people in need—with a special responsibility for the “least of these.”

Keeping that priority before me is my work to do for as long as I draw breath.

Mtr Mary

*Words from William Wilberforce to those who opposed his abolitionist arguments.