Homelessness

For the next couple of weeks the local paper in town is confronting the homeless problem here. Many people in Hanover want to turn a blind eye to the problem. Over the last month, I have gotten to know a couple of homeless people in town. Even before I knew about the paper's investigation. This past Sunday, my friend Bernard was front page on the paper. By a series of events so is my family. Check it out here

Pray for our church. As a result of getting to know Bernard, several of his friends are coming to church. It's great, but hard. Our new friends have many needs and painful stories. Wisdom, grace and patience is needed to love our new friends well. Being involved with the homeless community in Hanover has been challenging and very rewarding. For the last couple of weeks, I keep thinking about Jesus words in Matthew 25:31-40

The Final Judgment

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, [6] you did it to me.’

Part of being aligned to the kingdom means that we must be involved in caring and reaching out to the poor, the widow and the oppressed. The kingdom of God is about being made new and renewed in Christ. The practical implications of our new humanity, means we seek those out who are broken by sin. The more I read and think about this passage, the more I find this passage to be a stumbling block. I know their are other passages that help shape, nuance and balance my perspective on caring for the poor. However, the weight of Jesus' command here, is extchallenginglanging.