Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: February 23,2026

Date: Monday of the 1^st Week of Lent

Scripture Text:   Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father.  Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 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.’

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s gospel reading recounts Jesus’ parable of the final judgment where we will be judged by how well we loved one another recognizing that what we do for our sisters and brothers we do for love of our LORD.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

And what am I doing for my sisters and brothers? Am I actively looking for others in need or trying to avoid situations and locations and relationships that will require me to act?

Praying:

LORD,  Almighty Father, You created us from love for love: love of You and love for one another. You gave us your only-begotten Son to dwell among us, to reveal your love to us more perfectly and wholly, to teach us how we are called to act through His words and deeds. For love of You and love of us, he selflessly suffered crucifixion on Calvary. Send the Spirit to stir within us, to kindle more fully the fire of love You wove within our very nature. Grant that we may be strengthened so that we live into the ones You created us to be and ones your beloved Son calls us to be, people of compassion, people of loving kindnesses. Help us to leave our comfort zones and venture out to bring You to others and others to You through loving presence. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.