How we treat each other matters. How we speak to each other or about each other matters. Even how we think about each other matters, because our actions come from our thoughts. If we are able to be mindful of how we think we can be more aware of our actions. We do not have to immediately react, we can think before we act. We can discern how what we are about to do will affect the person before us.

Jesus is very clear in today’s Gospel from Matthew, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:45). Because we are interconnected with one another, what we do to one another affects everyone. When we throw a stone into the middle of a pond, the ripples of the water circle out to touch the bank and go even beyond the bank.

St. Mother Teresa called this verse her five finger gospel which she taught each person in her order and each person she had the opportunity to pass it on to. Each finger represented the words: you – did – it – to – me. When we entertain a thought today, are about to form a word, and are about to follow through on an action, may we first look at the five fingers of our hand before following through. Would we continue to think the thought, say the word, or follow through on the action if Jesus was in front of us? Because he is. For what we do to each other we do to Jesus.

Give somebody five today!

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Photo: A CN high five moment!
Link for St Mother Teresa sharing her five finger gospel, starts about 30 seconds in:

Link for the Mass readings for Monday, March, 11, 2019: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031119.cfm