“And the king answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)

For many, this passage from the Bible has been used as a call for all of us to be aware of how we treat the less fortunate in the world, making sure we are reaching out to them, treating them with love and compassion, and trying to improve their situation in the world. I could be wrong (and often am) but I am pretty sure there would not be much disagreement concerning the importance of doing that.

Deciding how exactly we should be carrying out that call, though, is a matter of great disagreement and most likely will be for a long time to come. Good people from all walks of life have differing opinions on the best way to help those in need. Since there are plenty of other avenues for that discussion to happen, I do not plan to explore it here.

I do want to share a different perspective on what the “least of my brethren” could mean, though.

For some time, I have tried to apply the “least of my brethren” theme on a more personal level. What if I looked at the “least of my brethren” as referring to the person or persons of whom I think the least, whom I have the hardest time loving, whom I dislike the most?

Donating to the food shelf, helping out at a homeless shelter, reaching out to those affected by some natural disaster are all excellent and, sometimes, easy ways to respond to the passage in Matthew. Treating as Christ those in my life whom I find the most difficult to love is much more of a challenge.

Years ago, I had the opportunity to listen to a father talk about a horrible crime committed against one of his children. For months following the crime he was angry and no one would have faulted him for wanting harm to come to the person who committed the crime.

He took a different approach.

After being denied the opportunity to meet with his child’s attacker face to face, the father wrote him a letter. Instead of spewing hatred and eternal damnation for what he had done, the father forgave him. Taking things a step further, he and his wife then committed themselves to spreading Christ’s message through prison ministry.

No matter what your religious beliefs may be, if any at all, I think the world would be a much better place if we all treated our least as this couple treated their least. I know, when I find it difficult to love some of the least in my life, I look to this couple as my example and inspiration.

For me, the reality that each day I do not fully live up to their example makes me human. Asking Jesus to forgive me each night and for the strength to do better the next day makes me Christian.