A wholly secular, scientific viral TED talk by an epidemiologist (here) notes that more pandemics lie ahead, and a dimension of essential preparedness is the fortification of healthcare systems in under-developed nations by aid from the wealthier “unto the least of our brethren,” five years after Bill Gates’ prophetic TED Talk was preceded by more than a decade with the warning of Stan Lee’s Spider-Man that, “With great power comes great responsibility” (Uncle Ben, or another, or centuries earlier). Then there’s the all-time best-seller, millennia earlier:
When I was sick, you visited me.
Whatsoever you do to the least of my people,
That you do unto me.
Now enter into the home of my father.
That amalgamation comes from the song below, which was inspired by verses 31 ff of Mt 25, the chapter before The Passion begins (fuller verses below song material):
‘For I was sick and you visited me’… ‘Lord, when did we see thee sick and visit thee?’ ‘Truly, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me. Come, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’*
Whatsoever You Do
(below lyrics to this song by Willard “Fr. Bill” Jabusch [1930-2018] are links to various online videos of it. See also)
When I was hungry you gave me to eat
When I was thirsty you gave me to drink
When I was homless you opened your door
When I was naked you gave me your coat
When I was weary you helped me find rest
When I was anxious you helped calm all my fears
When I was laughed at you stood by my side
When I was happy you shared in my joy
Now enter into the home of my father
Whatsoever you do to the least of my people
That you do unto me
Professionally recorded children’s choir + adult female soloist
Professionally recorded male vocalist, piano + acoustic guitar
S. Sudanese childrens chorus and men, a cappella + percussion
Professional instrumental-only
Contemporary instrumentation, male soloist
Matthew 25:31-end(46), the chapter of Mt before The Passion begins.
34… ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for…36… I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37…’Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? 38 And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? 39 And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’ 40… ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’*
Excerpted from:
31 “When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. 34 Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? 38 And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? 39 And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’*
* Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic (or Ignatius) Edition (RSV-2CE), online.
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