They need a helping hand
The other day, as I was about to enter a supermarket, I noticed a guy sitting on the bench outside. This bench is there because it is also a bus stop. I often say 'hi' to people, because many people say 'hi' to me. As it turned out, he told me, he was looking for work. That is not uncommon these days because we have a high unemployment rate in this area. There are so many people who were marginally employed at one time, and now they have nothing at all. He wasn't looking for a handout, although he mentioned he had just 40 cents to his name.
I walked into the supermarket, did my shopping, but I kept thinking about those 40 cents - in fact, to this day I cannot get this out of my mind. When I finished, heading for my car, I did give him some money. He was so happy. He said something about getting something to eat. I went on my way.
I know what it is to live on the margins of society; I've met so many who are. Sometimes with my own slim resources I'm not far from that margin, but at least I have a place of my own where I live. This guy said he slept in a tent. It is beyond my imagination to live in a tent in this hot, and getting hotter, Florida climate, where there are often rain and thundershowers.
In our town we have an organization that helps, and often feeds, the homeless. But what about the chronically homeless? Who knows ... what happens to them ... We wouldn't even know who they were unless they identified themselves. And many people run in the other direction when they see someone who really looks needy.
The people who have plenty of money will donate to large organizations, but they don't donate to ordinary folks who are down and out. Of course some do, and we pray that there are more of those. There are many people these days who need a helping hand, not just where I live, but all over the place.
Saint Francis of Assisi, walked all over Italy and places far beyond, and he often shared with people along the way. Let's follow his example and share with those in need. There are many Catholic parishes, and also other churches who have fundraisers for local charities. These efforts help the charitable organizations who in turn help the poor and needy. Be sure, if you can, to contribute to such worthy causes. St. Francis took God's command to love our brothers and sisters, very seriously, and especially in the larger cities, there are soup kitchens and the like, where many poor people are fed.
Let us keep all people in our prayers, the people in our families, neighborhoods, and especially the homeless, the unemployed, and young people. Many of us don't have money to help, but we can and should pray. That takes very little effort, and we know it helps very much. That's when we ask Our Lord to take care of those in need, and prayer works!
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me..." (Mt. 25:35)
Please, give the next stranger who is hungry and thirsty some food and drink. They need a helping hand...
Fred Schaeffer, SFO
June 25, 2010