"Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these
who are members of my family, you did it to me."
Matthew 25:40
As I was reading I knew this book was having an impact on me. This book informed and engaged me. The most disturbing part of this book for me, was the frequency with which faith communities and people who profess their faith as Christians ignore, reject, and even persecute the homeless in their own church yards and neighborhoods. It made my heart ache. Would that be me? My faith community? My family?
It was me. It was Christians I knew.
Back in April I was having dinner at a restaurant with fellow chaplain interns. We talked about our goals, dreams and God's call on our lives. After dinner we were were walking to our cars and I noticed a homeless man asking for money. I knew I didn't have any cash and I felt badly. Do I get money? I looked for a bank but didn't see any. My instinct was to take the yummy dinner left overs that one of my colleagues had and give it to the homeless man. I didn't. My mind swarmed with thoughts of " Look at us, we are chaplains and we are doing nothing", we kept walking, "Am I the only one who sees this?" Though I saw this , I did nothing and in my mind as I drove home that evening I heard over and over:
"Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these
who are members of my family, you did it to me."
I knew this evening affected me. I let myself down and I knew I let God down. I could feel it. I promised myself and God that I would be more aware, more tolerant and help when I was able. I would live my faith more intentionally. You know "live the gospel" that we often think we are really doing. But are we?
FAST FORWARD.
Last week I was witness to neighbor helping neighbor - the gospel in action. The caring that was passed on took my breath away. So much so, that it has taken me time to write about it.
I stopped on my way home from work to pick up a few things at Walmart. I do not frequent this way home often because of the downtown Leesburg traffic at this hour. I ran in for fishing wire and came out with some groceries I really didn't need but since I was there I picked up a few items. As I was driving out of the parking lot, there on the corner was a family holding a sign that said "Homeless, Traveling and Hungry. " They were hot, hungry and thirsty. Remember the heat last week? 99, 100, 102! The light changed to red and I was stopped. I rolled down my window and handed the man what groceries I had, cheese string, mac and cheese, bagels, some Gatorade. I apologized that I didn't have more. The man was so thankful and as the two small children dove into the bagel bag and began eating , it was clear that they were very, very hungry. While this was happening the car behind me was honking their horn repeatedly (I suppose the light turned green ), the man thanked me and as we turned from each other there were two additional cars that had stopped. One woman was carrying water bottles and fruit and another with a bag of food. No words were exchanged between the family in need, myself or the two additional angels who stopped and provided food and water. Our eyes scanned and met one another. The only words spoken where from the man and his family who asked God to bless us. I got in my car and left.
Bless us? I wonder if he had any idea how the interaction with him and his family was a blessing to us?
I cried on my way home that night knowing that God was in that moment in many ways and I am thankful. I am thankful to the two woman who stopped and provided for this family, letting God's spirit lead. I am thankful for the car behind me that honked their horn and was a captive witness to the gospel in action. I am thankful that God trusted us to be the incarnational presence that was needed that day in Leesburg.
I pray that this family will be safe and they will experience loving thy neighbor as Jesus loves us, over and over.
Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori writes in her book, The Heartbeat of God , that
"God gives us a new heart to do his work and every time we gather to do it, God offers a pacemaker jolt to tweak our hearts rhythm." The challenge is this: Will our heart respond with a strengthened beat, in tune with God's own heartbeat, sending more life out into the world?"
With God's grace/jolt I know mine will and this is my prayer for the angels who stopped, the person who was was honking their horn and for everyone who reads this.
Namaste'
Maureen
