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FOCUS VERSE: Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’
—Matthew 25:40 (CEB)

PRAYER OF PRESENCE:

God, whose love does not let us go,
In the stillness, we open our hearts to Your presence.
Draw near and center us in Your love and grace.
May You gentle light guide our thoughts,
Your peace calm our souls,
And Your Spirit move within us,
That we may reflect experience your peace and grace.
Amen.

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 25:31-46

HYMN FOR REFLECTION:
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEjqEoHgEQo

Help Us to help Each Other
Charles Wesley, 1707–1788

  1. Help us to help each other, Lord,
    each other's cross to bear;
    let each his friendly aid afford,
    and feel another's care.

  2. Up into thee, our living head,
    let us in all things grow,
    and by thy sacrifice be led
    the fruits of love to show.

  3. Touched by the lodestone of thy love
    let all our hearts agree;
    and ever towards each other move,
    and ever move towards thee.

  4. This is the bond of perfectness,
    thy spotless charity.
    O let us still, we pray, possess
    the mind that was in thee.

REFLECTION:

Brazil is a country of many contradictions. The natural beauty visible through its vast coastline, mountain ranges, plains, forests, and deserts paints a scenic view worthy of world wonder status. Yet behind these breathtaking landscapes lies a sea of poverty, suffering, and pain. Brazilians often say that these challenges are masked by the illusion of Carnaval—a time of celebration that momentarily distracts from the hardships of daily life and offers a glimpse of hope for the year to come.

As a Methodist raised among these realities, I was always aware that we, the people called Methodists, have a special call and long history of service to those on the margins of society. From a young age, we were taught the stories of John and Charles Wesley—how they preached in the open fields to miners and factory workers excluded from the blessings of social life, and how they organized schools, health clinics, and food banks to meet the needs of the poor. The Wesleys didn’t just preach about God’s love—they demonstrated it by addressing both the physical and spiritual needs of the people they served.

One story that always stood out to me was how John Wesley would regularly visit debtors’ prisons, not only to pray with the prisoners but also to help pay their debts so they could regain their freedom. Another was how Charles Wesley wrote hymns to inspire Christians to see one another as part of a family bound together in Christ, urging believers to "help each other’s cross to bear" and "feel another’s care." These stories weren’t just history lessons—they were calls to action. They taught us that following Jesus meant looking for Him in the faces of the hungry, the sick, and the oppressed—and responding with compassion and love.

One of the great distinctions of our Methodist faith, beyond our understanding of grace, is our commitment to practical theology. Practical theology is theology lived out, seeking to address how we, as Christians, live our faith wherever we find ourselves. It emphasizes that faith must move beyond belief into action, transforming lives through love, justice, and mercy.

This commitment to practical faith finds its foundation in Jesus' teaching in Matthew 25:31-46, where He tells His followers that serving "the least of these" is the same as serving Him. This passage is both a promise and a challenge. It promises that Christ is present in acts of love and mercy, but it challenges us to move beyond good intentions to faithful action. The early Methodists embodied this challenge, organizing societies and classes not only for worship and study but also for mutual care and accountability. They pooled their resources to support widows, orphans, and the unemployed, creating a community that lived out the gospel in tangible ways.

How might Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 inspire us to live a faith that is active and transformative—a faith that sees Christ in others and responds with compassion and care?

CLOSING PRAYER:

Come, my Light, and illumine my darkness. 
Come, my Life, and revive me from death. 
Come, my Physician, and heal my wounds. 
Come, Flame of divine love, 
           and burn up the thorns of my sins, 
           kindling my heart with the flame
           of thy love. 
Come, my King, 
           sit upon the throne of my heart
           and reign there. 
For you alone are my King and my Lord. 

—Dimitrii of Rostov (1651-1709)

WEEKLY PRACTICE: Jan 19 - 25 (Sun - Sat)

Petition: Asking For Needs and Desires in Prayer

Each day this week, take a moment to ask God for something that weighs on your heart and mind as you seek to engage life with the mind of Christ. It’s not always easy to focus on ourselves, and it may even feel selfish to ask for anything while being aware of the challenges others are facing—both around the world and next door. Yet, God chooses us, loves us, and invites us to ask freely and without hesitation. By faith, we trust that God not only hears and feels with us, but responds with the boundless love and grace that also abides within us. 

May you be filled with passion for whatever your heart desires and may that passion be fueled and inspired by God’s abiding love. Amen.
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