For I was a stranger and you welcomed me

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.

Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'

And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'' --Matthew 25:31-40

Beginning with Ash Wednesday, St. Thomas will host several powerful Lenten events, each of which speak to the heart of our call to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to be both the giver and the recipient of spiritual nourishment.

Lent is a time of reflection and of hunger. Some of us pare back by "giving up" sweets, bread, eating between meals, and other food items. Our small sacrifices often cause our focus to shift to the great sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us and recognize new opportunities to "be Christ" by channeling our own hunger pangs to helping alieviate the hunger of those who struggle every day of the year.

Hunger comes in many forms, including, of course, literal hunger. But, one type of hunger experienced by so many is the hunger for a connection, to be acknowledged, to have friendship, to break through the barriers of loneliness, to feel a sense of belonging.

This Lent we have multiple opportunities to help "feed" each other, at home, school, work and in the community. St. Thomas can replenish your hunger too. Come and See.