You are walking down the street, your arms swinging, your eyes taking in the sights of the big city.
Up ahead, there is a man … standing against a building. He has a plastic cup in his hands and he is shaking it so passersby can hear the sounds of a few coins jingling together.
Clearly, he is begging for money.
Suddenly you are faced with a choice.
Do you lower your eyes to your feet and walk by quickly … perhaps he won’t see you.
Do you stop and engage him in conversation … maybe tell him he needs to get a job!
Do you hold onto the money in your pockets and ignore him … he will probably just use it to buy drugs or alcohol, anyway!
Do you give him money?
Such are the choices faced by many people across the world as they live, work and play in areas where the poor actively seek help on the streets and sidewalks of the world’s cities.
These interactions come to mind as you read today’s Gospel.
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
So says the Lord when he decides who are the goats and who are the sheep.
Who will live forever with God and who will die?
These decisions, which take place on the sidewalks of life, are not to be taken lightly.
If you have the means to help the helpless … should you not do all you can?
The story of Ebenezer Scrooge comes to mind … the perfect portrayal of what happens when you hold on to your wealth while others struggle to survive.
At the same time, it seems quite reasonable to deny your fellow man who is begging for money. After all, shouldn’t he get a job? Shouldn’t he find his way to a shelter? Won’t he just drink it all away?
Truth is … we don’t know.
And an even bigger truth … we don’t judge.
I no longer work in an urban setting, but when I did, I was often met with those begging for money, for food, for attention.
I generally had just one rule: If I had cash in my pockets, I would gladly share. I would also share food, coffee or other sources of nourishment if I had them with me.
That was not always the case, but often times I was given the opportunity to help. And I took it.
Where did that money go?
Was it spent on wine, whiskey or beer? Maybe.
Was it spent on drugs? Perhaps. Or was it spent on a warm meal for the recipient and perhaps a family member we never saw? Possible.
The key is that we don’t know; we don’t judge. That’s the beauty of following God’s word … we don’t need to …
Our salvation does not hinge on what others do with the gifts we impart. We need only follow the command of our Lord and help when we are asked.
Pretty simple. Plant the seed.
God will do the rest.
