The topic for the first Tuesday of the month is supposed to have something to do with writing; however, my head is somewhere else. Consequently, this post goes in a different direction.
I am more or less sure that we here, at the CWG, have not had the experience of ending each day with no place to go, no food to eat and nowhere to lay our heads. This kind of day-to-day existence seems unimaginable but it is a fact of life for more than a million folks (adults and children) in America. Many ask, “Why don’t they just get a job?”, “Don’t they have family or friends?”, or maybe, “I don’t understand.” Like it or not, these types of feelings have a tendency to generate indifference. Maybe it is just so hard to believe that a defense mechanism triggers itself inside us to protect us from stuff that is, to us, unexplainable. I don’t know.
What I do know is this; as catholics, we are supposed to be non-judgmental and do our best to see the face of Christ in all of our brothers and sisters (sometimes a daunting task). Then, if possible, help them (many times you cannot) or, at the least, pray for them. Since I have been deeply involved with folks like these for a very long time I thought I would post a copy of a letter written by one of these people who was participating in a survey conducted by a group called “Urban Anthology, Inc.” To point out how this is nothing new this was written more than 10 years ago. One thing that seems to always stand out with so many of these people is their trust in God. Please remember all of these brothers and sisters of ours in your prayers, especially today on the feast of ALL SAINTS.
I been staying mainly in parks because the weather is good. I do some work for [odd job place]. I can’t do too many drugs because I ain’t got no money. But I pray and I think that God will get me back to where I was. Maybe I wasn’t supposed to be where I was. I think things happen for a reason and I will just let God lead me where I am supposed to go. I go to church every day when I’m clean and sober. Things happen for a reason, you know.
I applied for a couple of jobs, but it’s kind of hard to get one, you know, when you are homeless and don’t look too good, and you got no number they can get you at. But when the right one comes along, I will get it. I just got to take care of myself until the right time happens. In the meantime, I read the bible and go to church and get in touch with my spiritual side.
LarryPeterson
Larry is a Catholic/Christian author and blogger and posts weekly commentary. His work has appeared in such publications as Zenit from Rome, Aleteia, New Evangelists, Top Catholic Blogs, Big Pulpit, Catholic365.com and others. His first children's picture book, "Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes" was published in 2011. In 2012, his full-length novel, "The Priest and the Peaches" was released. His second novel, "The Demons of Abadon", was released in the spring of 2016. Larry’s latest novel, “Horizon Homeless” was released in ebook format in May of 2017 and the paperback followed on July 27, 2017. Larry belongs to the Catholic Writer’s Guild, The Catholic Writer’s Society, The Knights of Columbus, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He has been an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion for over twenty years bringing communion to the homebound and hospitalized. He lives in Pinellas Park, Florida and his kids and six grandchildren all live within three miles of each other. His first wife died of cancer in 2003. He remarried four years later and became the primary caregiver for his wife, Martha who came down with Non-Hodgins Lymphoma in 2011. The cancer was in remission when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in October of 2014. Sadly and unexpectedly, Martha passed away on March 27, 2017. The writer says, "God has me where he needs me and I try my best to make Him proud. Larry’s blog site is http://www.slipperywillie.blogspot.com You can find more at www.larrypeterson-author.com
I volunteer at my parish, where we have a huge organization to help the poor. We offer food, clothing, pre-school tutoring, summer camp, medical assistance, cash assistance. At lunch-time we all sit at the same table, volunteers and customers, and cheerfully eat together. When you get to know these people personally you realize that it's insulting to say "why don't they just get a job?". Let me assure you that they do their best, according to their situations. I'm blessed to be a part of our organization, and I've even been a recepient in a difficult moment. And I'm proud to add that I'm a democrat.
…..there but for the grace of God go I! Never turn your nose up at a homeless person or beggar. Jesus taught us that they would always be with us. When you give that "extra dollar" do you smile and ask their name? That's the least of an act of human dignity that you could do. Amen.