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"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine,
you did for me.'
Matthew 25:30
"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine,
you did for me.'
Matthew 25:30
During Mass today, I had no idea that I would be called to live out the entrance antiphon, taken from Matthew, but again, I am called to live it out everyday.
Every morning, just before I cross the street to my parish for Mass, I wish and receive a "Good Morning" to/from a homeless man selling the Washington Times on the corner (he makes $90 a week, for his effort). On occasion I have given him, and his friends, water and food (and Gatorade when it's particularly hot), but then hop in my car (that the Lord has given me) off to my humble apartment (that the Lord has given me).
Today, as I was leaving, "Bob" asked me
"How does it feel to be a human being?"
A little stunned, my only reply was "Aren't you one?"
He went on to tell me that he hasn't been human for along time, and spoke of a time when he had an apartment and a job, and of stupid mistakes and inner demons, of an old tired body with sore feet and sun burnt skin. I just let him talk, while I prayed that God would somehow use me, and that I wouldn't get in His way.
I asked him his name, and introduced myself. We talked about where we were from (he's from Buffalo, NY), and how we ended up in DC. He said he would soon be 54, and I said that I would soon be 44, and he said I was still young (and right then, I sure felt young, . . . and blessed) .I told him of the brief time I lived in my car, a few short weeks which seem like nothing now, especially when compared to his life.
He went on to say how it would always be this way, how it'll never change, of having no hope. All theses hopeless things he said, were so very similar to how I , during years of depression, once spoke of my life . . . and then I met our Savior, and saw His great love for me in nail torn hands, and a spear pierced side.
What makes me different from Bob? What makes you?
We have hope, we have faith, and we have love . . . .and so now, I ask you, beg you, to take that, get on your knees, and pray for our brother Bob (and the Bob's in yer life), and please pray for me, that I will serve my new sibling as Christ would have me.
Every morning, just before I cross the street to my parish for Mass, I wish and receive a "Good Morning" to/from a homeless man selling the Washington Times on the corner (he makes $90 a week, for his effort). On occasion I have given him, and his friends, water and food (and Gatorade when it's particularly hot), but then hop in my car (that the Lord has given me) off to my humble apartment (that the Lord has given me).
Today, as I was leaving, "Bob" asked me
"How does it feel to be a human being?"
A little stunned, my only reply was "Aren't you one?"
He went on to tell me that he hasn't been human for along time, and spoke of a time when he had an apartment and a job, and of stupid mistakes and inner demons, of an old tired body with sore feet and sun burnt skin. I just let him talk, while I prayed that God would somehow use me, and that I wouldn't get in His way.
I asked him his name, and introduced myself. We talked about where we were from (he's from Buffalo, NY), and how we ended up in DC. He said he would soon be 54, and I said that I would soon be 44, and he said I was still young (and right then, I sure felt young, . . . and blessed) .I told him of the brief time I lived in my car, a few short weeks which seem like nothing now, especially when compared to his life.
He went on to say how it would always be this way, how it'll never change, of having no hope. All theses hopeless things he said, were so very similar to how I , during years of depression, once spoke of my life . . . and then I met our Savior, and saw His great love for me in nail torn hands, and a spear pierced side.
What makes me different from Bob? What makes you?
We have hope, we have faith, and we have love . . . .and so now, I ask you, beg you, to take that, get on your knees, and pray for our brother Bob (and the Bob's in yer life), and please pray for me, that I will serve my new sibling as Christ would have me.
thanks and God bless !!!
2 comments:
You wrote: ...my car...(that the Lord has given me).
...my apartment...(that the Lord has given me).
The Lord gives us something else that you used so wisely this morning - time.
"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine,
you did for me.'
Matthew 25:30
Thank you Monkster wanna-be for spending the time with Bob this morning and with us as you write this blog entry. Time can be so precious.
Thanks!
and after Time, the Lord gives us Eternity, which is how long it will take for me to thank Him properly.
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