Article Tools
- Text Size
- Add a comment (2)
- Print this article
- Email this article
If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. (James 2:15-17)
Article Taken From:
Taking it Personally: How Your Catholic Faith Can Transform You byLeo Zanchettin.
It was a cold, snowy winter’s morning. I was the only person in the rectory office, where I worked as pastoral coordinator for the parish. With my coat still on, I answered the ringing telephone. The caller was a man looking for a hand-out. I recognized his voice and immediately wanted to ignore his request—personally, I refer to him as the “crazy alcoholic guy.” On occasions when he has come to the door and I’ve been alone, I have not opened it, as his presence unsettles me.
Attempting to placate the caller, I told him that all such requests are handled through the St. Vincent de Paul Society and that the person he needed to speak with wasnt in. I explained that we keep no money in the rectory and give only food or vouchers. I said I would get the message to the person in charge and suggested that he call me back later.
The man told me that his name was Paul, that a voucher would be okay, and that he also needed a duffel bag, as all his clothes were wet. He said he would call back in an hour.
Although I did telephone the St. Vincent de Paul representative, I was unable to reach him, and so I just continued going about my business. A while later, when the telephone rang again, I figured it was probably Paul and chose not to answer. I let the machine pick up the call. I was not ignoring the phone. I was, in fact, avoiding having to talk with Paul again.
During the next hour, he called repeatedly at five-minute intervals, sometimes leaving a message, other times calling collect and having the operator tell him there was no answer. Increasingly annoyed, I figured I’d better speak to Paul or he would just keep pestering me. I couldn’t avoid answering the phone for the entire day!
Picking up the phone, I again attempted to appease and even dissuade him. “Yes, I did try to relay your message, but I couldn’t get through…. Father isn’t in today…. There’s nothing more I can do for you…. Sorry.”
The first twinge of conscience struck. I knew that if the pastor were in, he would personally give him food from his cupboard or money from his own pocket. I have often witnessed his acts of hospitality and generosity.
Paul said he was desperate—his clothes were wet and he was cold and he wasn’t sure where he could wait, protected from the elements, until I was able to reach someone else. Frankly, I am embarrassed to admit my insensitive and self-centered response to his desperate plea. Out of my mouth came these words: “That’s all I can do. Sorry. I’ll keep trying to reach the St. Vincent de Paul person. Try and keep warm.” Then I hung up.
Twinge number two struck hard. I recalled the words of James 2:15-17: “If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.”
Other Scripture passages came to mind. Paul was persistent, as was the widow in the gospel parable: “This widow keeps bothering me” (Luke 18:5). Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” resounded in my heart (Matthew 5:3)—Paul deserved to be humanely treated, with dignity. Tobit 4:7 says: “Give alms from your possessions…. Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor, and the face of God will not be turned away from you.”
I regretted my contradictory, even hypocritical response and experienced a change of heart. My external behavior and my internal disposition needed an immediate adjustment! I left the rectory, went home, and got an old duffel bag from my attic, groceries from my kitchen cabinet, and a ten-dollar bill from my “emergency fund.” Placing these items in a paper shopping bag marked with Paul’s name, I drove back to church and left the bag on a bench in the foyer.
When Paul called again, I told him where to find the bag. When he said “God bless you,” my reply was “God bless you!” I didn’t tell him I was the benefactor, nor did I tell anyone in the parish about our interactions. I must admit my main concern was that I would be chastised for giving someone money, which is against our policy.
One morning the following week, when I arrived for work, Paul was busily involved in an outdoor project. I was surprised to see him cleaning the front and side steps of the church, removing remnants of ice, snow, and residual sand. We exchanged greetings, and I asked him what he was up to. He told me that he was helping out, paying back, because we had been so kind to him the week before.
In reflecting on this incident, I am also reminded of the passage in Matthew 25:37-40:
Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing?…” And the king will answer them, “Truly, I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”
The Lord certainly knocked persistently at your heart until you recognized him. If we were doing our daily tasks (which indeed are his tasks) with attentiveness to him, perhaps we would recognize him more immediately in the one who needs us the most. When I’m teaching I’m often caught immersed in the myriad of duties of managing a classroom and school, only to realize that Jesus is knocking at my heart asking for help in a needy child.
How good and kind is Jesus who is persistent so that we might encounter him in someone who is in need, and respond generously. It took courage to admit your reluctant heart. I ask forgiveness for the times I haven’t recognized him. God bless you.
Advent is but a day old and Jesus has already ‘gifted himself’ to me. Let me share, as this article reminds me that Jesus is my brother. I didn’t always know--not really, what that means until recently. During a Bible Study I found myself becoming aware of Cain’s words, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” I noticed the many parallels between those who followed the Lord and those who chose to go another way. Those who chose another way were all like Cain in this: They chose to ‘not be their brother’s keeper’. THEN, there is Jesus, who calls himself OUR brother. He is the one who completely and whole-heartedly chose and chooses to be the GOOD Brother, always our Keeper! This is what He asks us to see in one another, but I can only do this as I come to KNOW Him as my brother. What a Gift--our Good Brother! You and I too, can choose. It may take us longer than it did Jesus, but with Him, we can finally really know one another-- everyone-- as ‘brother’. Thank you for sharing this story. He who lives in you makes it possible to be like Him.