The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him. A crowd seated around him told him,“Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.”But he said to them in reply,“Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:31-35)
"Jesus looked at the motley crew of disciples and called them His "mother and brothers." He accepted them as family. He said His brother, sister, and mother is whoever does God's will (Mk 3:35). Although at this point the apostles were not totally doing God's will, Jesus accepted them as family to change them into disciples who would do God's will." - excerpt from One Bread, One Body daily Bible meditations
Would you let your brother or sister dig through trash cans for food? Would you stand by idly and watch them scrounge around in haste, trying all the while to remain inconspicuous? Since we are "all made in the image and likeness of God" (Gen. 1:26-27), then to watch someone dig in the garbage for food is to watch Christ dig in the garbage. Is this how we treat Christ in the poor?
Last week while I was in Washington DC for the annual March for Life, I saw some people digging through the trash for food. The sight was heart-wrenching. I am thankful that God allowed me to help.
Rising early on Friday morning, I sat out in the hallway of my hotel (because of roommates sleeping) to read the Bible and pray that Jesus would open my eyes to see what He wanted me to see that day. I knew when I was planning my trip to DC that God had more plans for me than to just make my voice heard for the unborn - though doing that and seeing the witness of many is powerful and much needed.
Each task we set out to holds more than the mission at hand...
During our parish mission, Catholic Lay Evangelist, John Schweisthal said to us that each trip to the store, library or wherever is an opportunity evangelize the love of Christ. Buying groceries or picking up books is only secondary to sharing the love of Christ. So, I knew that being in the "big city" would provide many opportunities if I allowed myself to look through Christ's eyes.
God doesn't take long to ask... My friends and I set out for Union Station to get subway passes. If you haven't been to Union Station, it's the hub for all the trains - like a giant airport with shops and restaurants. We decided to scope out the scene and get our passes first, then eat breakfast in one of the restaurants there.
As we rode down the escalator to buy our passes, I noticed a ruffled young man riding up the other side. He got to the top, then rode down and walked toward the exit to scrounge through the trash. Finding a half empty juice bottle, he picked it up and drank it. I knew at that moment that I was going to ask him to breakfast. I couldn't bear to watch my hungry brother wander aimlessly looking for people's leftovers.
As God would have it, he came back our way and got on the up escalator right in front of us.
I tapped his shoulder and asked if I could buy him breakfast. From under his hat, he peered at me and said yes. I introduced myself and asked his name. William.
We chatted some and then went into the Au Bon Pain. I told William he could pick out anything he wanted. He said just coffee, but I said are you sure? I knew he was uncomfortable. You can get a sandwich and soup or whatever you like, I said. He liked the sound of that. So I motioned to the area of the soup but he said, no, you come with me. I asked if it was because the staff would follow him or kick him out and he mumbled yes. Welcome to the world of the homeless.
There were many eyes following us around the restaurant. I paid for his breakfast but he didn't want to stick around and eat with us. About 15 minutes later, he walked back by and turned ever so slightly to look back at me. I waved and smiled and caught a guarded grin from him.
A few minutes later, another man stuck his head in the restaurant and started asking around for breakfast at McDonald's. Everyone was just ignoring him like he was a pesky fly buzzing around! I know we have to be careful helping the poor, but that doesn't mean pretending they don't exist. So, this man - Charles - was also treated to breakfast.
I don't say this to draw attention to myself but to draw attention to how many opportunities God gives us to help if we abandon ourselves to Him. I'm sure I could go back to Union Station tomorrow and they would be there wandering around trying to stay warm or panhandle for a few bucks for food or booze. I didn't change their life situation, but they changed me.
May the peace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ reign in your hearts, your minds and on your lips today and always.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Cold hands - Warm hearts
Walking into the GR Public Library, I asked the man at the information desk if he could make an announcement that some friends from our church had hot soup and sandwiches for anyone in need. I said a silent prayer as I waited for the manager's approval. Yes! The announcement was made followed by a stream of thankful brothers and sisters leaving the shelter of warmth to endure the cold air for a few moments.
The library worker came down the steps to make sure we told the people that they had to eat the soup outside. My gratitude collided with slight irritation.
"Lord, help me to love from the depth of my heart when others don't understand." The guy was just doing his job. After all, they did make the announcement, right?
Who among us has not been less than compassionate to the needs of those cast aside by much of society?
Just about two months before we began this mission, I stepped out of our car in St. Andrew's parking lot with my parents and daughter only to see a lady coming towards us asking for help. There were other people milling around Division also. It was dark, and I was thinking of the safety of my daughter and focused on getting inside for Mass. The lady kept calling to me, so I turned and told her I couldn't help right now because I was going to church.
BAM! The Holy Spirit convicted me as I walked away. Oh sorry lady, I can't help you because I'm going to see Jesus! All I could think of was PHARISEE! HYPOCRITE!
Jesus was calling to me right there on the street, yet I was blind. Blinded by selfishness or fear at the same time I was seeking to receive the pure love of Jesus in the Eucharist. How could this be? Our family has spent month after month at God's Kitchen making meals for people such as this woman.
Certainly, I am supposed to be cautious and take care of my children first. Yet I could have acknowledged the woman and asked her to follow us up to the church. Jesus was calling me right there on the street. "whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25
If we are open, God will "heal our blindness" through times like this...
As I entered the cathedral, I knelt and prayed for forgiveness,asking the Lord for another chance. Only HE can take our wrongs and use them for His glory.
Weeks passed, and I put the incident away in my mind. Little did I know that I would soon be waking up in the middle of the night yearning to go outside on the streets to meet my hungry, lonely and cold brothers and sisters. Looking back, I now see.
So many others, too, have heard and acted on the Lord's call. There are countless kind-hearted individuals that share the Lord's compassion to make our world a better place each day.
Each day it is important that we pray and encourage our children in prayer to "put on the mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2) so that our hearts may be open to those in need. For children, it begins in small ways like helping a classmate with a task or opening a door for an elderly person.
For us, it can be sharing a smile with everyone we see. Introduce ourselves to someone we don't yet know at church or school each week. The opportunities are endless. God will open the doors.
Speaker and author, Matthew Kelly, encourages people to ask themselves and their children this question each day - "How did God speak to you in your life today?" This prepares our minds to listen to God for direction instead of listening the world.
The words to a much-loved song keep echoing in my mind - "We are one body, one body in Christ, and we do not stand alone. We are one body, one body in Christ, and He came that we might have love."
He came that each one of us might have His love.
He came for each one of us to share that love with other people, not things.
People are meant to be loved and things are meant to be used NOT the other way around.
Among the friends we have met...
Please pray for Amy who recently lost her job due to medical leave. She lives in an apartment downtown and is looking for administrative work.
Pray for those with mental disabilities that the world would have compassion and they have stable housing and be well-cared for.
Pray for the veterans who have heroically served our country but are now lost in the shuffle of the streets that they may be given their benefits and be lovingly cared for in their old-age.
Continue to pray for the married couple, Annette and Karl, who are capable of paying monthly rent, but are having trouble negotiating a do-able deposit for an apartment. The spend nights in separate shelters. Pray that they turn to Jesus and trust Him for their needs.
Pray for those who are estranged from their families and find themselves without homes that forgiveness an reconciliation may enter into their hearts and the hearts of their loved ones.
While we can't do everything, we can all do something.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen.
The library worker came down the steps to make sure we told the people that they had to eat the soup outside. My gratitude collided with slight irritation.
"Lord, help me to love from the depth of my heart when others don't understand." The guy was just doing his job. After all, they did make the announcement, right?
Who among us has not been less than compassionate to the needs of those cast aside by much of society?
Just about two months before we began this mission, I stepped out of our car in St. Andrew's parking lot with my parents and daughter only to see a lady coming towards us asking for help. There were other people milling around Division also. It was dark, and I was thinking of the safety of my daughter and focused on getting inside for Mass. The lady kept calling to me, so I turned and told her I couldn't help right now because I was going to church.
BAM! The Holy Spirit convicted me as I walked away. Oh sorry lady, I can't help you because I'm going to see Jesus! All I could think of was PHARISEE! HYPOCRITE!
Jesus was calling to me right there on the street, yet I was blind. Blinded by selfishness or fear at the same time I was seeking to receive the pure love of Jesus in the Eucharist. How could this be? Our family has spent month after month at God's Kitchen making meals for people such as this woman.
Certainly, I am supposed to be cautious and take care of my children first. Yet I could have acknowledged the woman and asked her to follow us up to the church. Jesus was calling me right there on the street. "whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25
If we are open, God will "heal our blindness" through times like this...
As I entered the cathedral, I knelt and prayed for forgiveness,asking the Lord for another chance. Only HE can take our wrongs and use them for His glory.
Weeks passed, and I put the incident away in my mind. Little did I know that I would soon be waking up in the middle of the night yearning to go outside on the streets to meet my hungry, lonely and cold brothers and sisters. Looking back, I now see.
So many others, too, have heard and acted on the Lord's call. There are countless kind-hearted individuals that share the Lord's compassion to make our world a better place each day.
Each day it is important that we pray and encourage our children in prayer to "put on the mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2) so that our hearts may be open to those in need. For children, it begins in small ways like helping a classmate with a task or opening a door for an elderly person.
For us, it can be sharing a smile with everyone we see. Introduce ourselves to someone we don't yet know at church or school each week. The opportunities are endless. God will open the doors.
Speaker and author, Matthew Kelly, encourages people to ask themselves and their children this question each day - "How did God speak to you in your life today?" This prepares our minds to listen to God for direction instead of listening the world.
The words to a much-loved song keep echoing in my mind - "We are one body, one body in Christ, and we do not stand alone. We are one body, one body in Christ, and He came that we might have love."
He came that each one of us might have His love.
He came for each one of us to share that love with other people, not things.
People are meant to be loved and things are meant to be used NOT the other way around.
Among the friends we have met...
Please pray for Amy who recently lost her job due to medical leave. She lives in an apartment downtown and is looking for administrative work.
Pray for those with mental disabilities that the world would have compassion and they have stable housing and be well-cared for.
Pray for the veterans who have heroically served our country but are now lost in the shuffle of the streets that they may be given their benefits and be lovingly cared for in their old-age.
Continue to pray for the married couple, Annette and Karl, who are capable of paying monthly rent, but are having trouble negotiating a do-able deposit for an apartment. The spend nights in separate shelters. Pray that they turn to Jesus and trust Him for their needs.
Pray for those who are estranged from their families and find themselves without homes that forgiveness an reconciliation may enter into their hearts and the hearts of their loved ones.
While we can't do everything, we can all do something.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen.
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