Will work for food - - - - -
Will Work for Food
It is hard to interest those who have everything in those who have nothing. Helen Keller
I am guilty of not seeing Jesus in those who stand on the side of the road holding signs saying they will work for food.
I can justify this position by touting to all who will listen that these folks have no interest in working for food or any thing else. Articles have been written about this cottage industry as to how much money the “will work for food” crowd make in a day. I don’t have the exact figures but the amount is more than I make in a day working eight hours and commuting three.
Well that being said I don’t feel any better. Thomas Merton said writing is prayer. So this is another attempt to pray for the homeless.
This issue comes to the surface of my life from time to time and I am forced to focus on those in our society who have to struggle to survive. I have a difficult time understanding how so many have so little in the country. Do they not have opportunities to climb the ladder? Did they miss the educational train? What happened to them that was not my experience?
In my case family made the difference in my being who and where I am. Education was a must and I was to do my best. My parents both worked and set the example for me, graduate from high school and go to college or work. No sitting at home while my parents worked. I went to seminary and graduated with a bachelor of divinity degree and was pastor of a church at the ripe old age of twenty two.
The key to my struggle with this issue is self sufficiency. I know this because it has been pointed out to me on several occasions by my spiritual director and a monk in a local monastery.
They offered advice and suggestions as to how I might find understanding that self sufficiency is folly. All I have comes from God and his grace in my life. I was challenged to use my rosary to count my blessings. But all of the counseling leads to more questions.
If all I have comes from God is God not interested in the plight of the poor? I know God loves and is concerned for all people. Why am I so blessed and others struggle for their next meal? Jesus said the poor you have with you always. So where and what are we to do with regard to the poor. More specifically what am I to do with the poor?
The key is not to focus on how they wound up where they are. Lack of family support may have contributed to their plight. Maybe adequate education was out of reach. Perhaps they were raised in poverty that has engulfed several generations.
Finding a man in a pond surrounded by alligators we can discuss with this poor creature how and why he is in the pond or we can get a boat and get him out.
You see I really do have an understanding of the issue but to discuss the totality of the issue is not possible here, my struggle is moving from understanding to action. Moving from the head to the heart is a constant struggle.
I have in the past given money to those who requested assistance. But I must be on guard my attitude can ruin a good deed. Money given a dollar at a time is not a sufficient long term answer to the problem but I don’t have the method or means to provide a long term solution. So I am left to determine the best short term response.
I utilize the resources such as Saint Vincent de Paul and local charities and governmental resources but those agencies leave me feeling empty because I find myself at arms length and detached from the process of caring for the needy.
So I have decided a change of attitude is in order. No matter my response or the method if I give begrudgingly it’s in vain. So I will sharpen my vision and give assistance as God makes it available one person as a time.
Please remember me in your prayers as I struggle to see Jesus in the poor and not be judgmental.
It is hard to interest those who have everything in those who have nothing. Helen Keller
I am guilty of not seeing Jesus in those who stand on the side of the road holding signs saying they will work for food.
I can justify this position by touting to all who will listen that these folks have no interest in working for food or any thing else. Articles have been written about this cottage industry as to how much money the “will work for food” crowd make in a day. I don’t have the exact figures but the amount is more than I make in a day working eight hours and commuting three.
Well that being said I don’t feel any better. Thomas Merton said writing is prayer. So this is another attempt to pray for the homeless.
This issue comes to the surface of my life from time to time and I am forced to focus on those in our society who have to struggle to survive. I have a difficult time understanding how so many have so little in the country. Do they not have opportunities to climb the ladder? Did they miss the educational train? What happened to them that was not my experience?
In my case family made the difference in my being who and where I am. Education was a must and I was to do my best. My parents both worked and set the example for me, graduate from high school and go to college or work. No sitting at home while my parents worked. I went to seminary and graduated with a bachelor of divinity degree and was pastor of a church at the ripe old age of twenty two.
The key to my struggle with this issue is self sufficiency. I know this because it has been pointed out to me on several occasions by my spiritual director and a monk in a local monastery.
They offered advice and suggestions as to how I might find understanding that self sufficiency is folly. All I have comes from God and his grace in my life. I was challenged to use my rosary to count my blessings. But all of the counseling leads to more questions.
If all I have comes from God is God not interested in the plight of the poor? I know God loves and is concerned for all people. Why am I so blessed and others struggle for their next meal? Jesus said the poor you have with you always. So where and what are we to do with regard to the poor. More specifically what am I to do with the poor?
The key is not to focus on how they wound up where they are. Lack of family support may have contributed to their plight. Maybe adequate education was out of reach. Perhaps they were raised in poverty that has engulfed several generations.
Finding a man in a pond surrounded by alligators we can discuss with this poor creature how and why he is in the pond or we can get a boat and get him out.
You see I really do have an understanding of the issue but to discuss the totality of the issue is not possible here, my struggle is moving from understanding to action. Moving from the head to the heart is a constant struggle.
I have in the past given money to those who requested assistance. But I must be on guard my attitude can ruin a good deed. Money given a dollar at a time is not a sufficient long term answer to the problem but I don’t have the method or means to provide a long term solution. So I am left to determine the best short term response.
I utilize the resources such as Saint Vincent de Paul and local charities and governmental resources but those agencies leave me feeling empty because I find myself at arms length and detached from the process of caring for the needy.
So I have decided a change of attitude is in order. No matter my response or the method if I give begrudgingly it’s in vain. So I will sharpen my vision and give assistance as God makes it available one person as a time.
Please remember me in your prayers as I struggle to see Jesus in the poor and not be judgmental.
