Looking at his disciples, He said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. (Luke 6:20)
In Anthony Robbins book, Awaken the Giant Within, he tells the defining moment of Mother Teresa’s life after a few years as a nun teaching well-to-do children. On a walk in Calcutta, she responded to cries from a dying woman. She rushed the woman to two different hospitals where the staff ignored her because of the woman’s low ranking in the caste system. Without hope of medical help, Mother Teresa loved the woman in her home until she died in her arms that night.
As Jesus comforted His disciples, Mother Teresa comforted the poor. They surrendered their worldly possessions and luxuries to follow Him with no assurance of a place to sleep, but Jesus guaranteed them a place in heaven.
Father God. You’re amazing. Help me follow you and value the poor as you do, comforting them.
Jody, my computer had a glitch and I am not sure you got my comment on this post. Please let me know.
Sorry. I did not.
Do we treat the poor as blessed? As with anything in life, some people treat the poor with respect and some do not. Do you remember when we were in Clearwater waking on the pier. Remember I made a comment about the barriers on the bench and I asked you if you knew what they were for. I had seen them before and you had not. Those barriers stop the homeless from using the bench as a bed. Really, it horrifies me that people think that is OK. I understand that tourist areas do not want the homeless displayed like that, and are afraid that it will detract from the area, therefore losing tourist dollars. I get it BUT if the cities do this, I also hope that they are providing adequate shelter for the homeless.
I’m sure Clearwater doesn’t provide shelter for the homeless. Most shelters are provided by churches and Christian organizations and are dependent upon private donations. I’m not sure if the Federal government gives funding. But, you’re right, the bench barriers are horrifying. They are not the norm in Florida. We need more help for poor children and the young mentally ill, so people don’t end up homeless. It is so sad. God loves them, and we should too.