Matthew 25:44-45 (NLT): “Then they will reply, ' Lord when did we every see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?'  “And He will answer, ' I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.'

Mother Therese felt each person she met was “Jesus in disguise”. Since we were created purposefully by God, in His image, this statement isn’t far from the truth. God has placed tremendous value within each of us. Try to imagine how differently we would treat people if we saw them from that perspective. Jesus said if we do good or bad to those who seem to have the least value in society, we do it to Him. He takes our treatment of others personally. If someone insulted, ignored or devalued one of our own children, we would regard it a personal insult; so it’s not difficult to understand God feels the same way when we treat His own handiwork with disdain. Let's strive to build all people up, to value everyone we encounter with respect and kindness - knowing the Lord takes our treatment of others personally.