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 most of our actions come from our thoughts and/or our reactions. When we are in the present then we can better see our options and better choose our actions. We really do not have or need to immediately react. We can think before we act. We can discern how what we are about to think, say, or do will affect the person before us.

One way to put this into practice is to follow the psychologist, Dr. John Gottman’s 5:1 principle. When a negative thought arises about someone and before texting or emailing, think and write down five affirming thoughts about that person. If we are engaging with another person, before reacting and speaking, think five affirming thoughts. Many times, we will find that by the time that we get to the fifth compliment we will have forgotten the original negative response we were ready to unleash.

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). All of us are interconnected. 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. This same ripple effect happens with our thoughts, words, and actions. Our inaction also matters.

When we are moved by the Holy Spirit to reach out to help someone in need, to be more understanding, kind, and to be willing to move beyond our prejudices and biases, we build up the Body of Christ. When we don’t, we are cutting ourselves off from Jesus and wound his Body. When we listen to our conscience and the urging of the Holy Spirit, when we are willing to risk, and move out toward another in love, we put Jesus’ teaching into practice, we begin the healing of our relationship with God, ourselves, and each other.

St. Mother Teresa called this verse her five finger gospel. She taught each person in her order and each person she had the opportunity to pass it on to that each finger on her hand 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 a Gospel five today!

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Photo: From Mother Teresa exhibit, Ave Maria University, July 10, 2022.

Link for St Mother Teresa sharing her five finger gospel starts about 30 seconds in:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL2aQWeWAmE

Link for the Mass readings for Monday, February 19, 2024