Strange but true...and sad
This is a real conversation I had with one of my students yesterday concerning Matt 25:31-46 (the passage where Jesus says "whatever you do for the least of these you do for Me"):

Student: Mr. Doyle I've read Matthew 25 and I just don't get what you're saying..

Me: What do you mean?

Student: Well, you seem to think that this is about taking care of the poor. I don't see where you get that.

Me: Okay...

Student: I mean, it could be me doing something nice for my Mom. You know, helping people in general. I don't get where you think He's talking about the literal poor. I don't see that.

Me: You don't see anything in there about helping the poor?

Student: No. I don't see that. I mean, if it were really that way why aren't all of our preachers talking about it...if helping the poor is really that important? I just don't see what you're saying.

Me: Okay. I read it one way, you read it the another. I have a hard time seeing how you can pass over the literal meaning for the metaphorical. But that's okay...we can disagree. I mean...you really don't see anything in there about helping the poor?

Student: No.
posted by Jimmy at 3:25 PM | |