Please read the Scripture passage before the homily.
I stand at the pulpit to give homilies. I have a wall on my right side and the congregation on the left. This should tell you to beware of today’s homily. There are no sheep on my right and only goats, apparently, on my left. What did the Lord say about those on his left? Right, “Depart from me”. No one on my right will hear the blessings.
I suppose the interrogation of those on the left would be something like this. “Have you stolen anything?” No. “Have you defrauded or robbed your neighbor?” No. Have you acted dishonestly or hated your brother?” No.
So far, so good. Listen on:
“Have you fed the hungry, given drink to the thirsty? Have you welcomed strangers, clothed the naked or visited those in prison?” No? “Too bad, off you go to eternal punishment.” Our judgment is not on the evil we have not done, but on the good we have failed to do
It was a beautiful birthday cake, but nobody ate it. It was a brand-new shining automobile, and everyone admired it, but no one drove it. It was a delicious meal, but no one was interested. The cake, the automobile and the meal are useless unless they be eaten or driven. Their purpose is not to be looked at, but to be eaten or driven. So, likewise, we are not made to look good, but to do good. The good we could have done but refused to do will speak up against us. The good we did will earn us the blessings of those on the right side.
Maybe, if we were good, those who arrange the furniture for chapels would put the pulpit on the other side, switching with the congregation.