Charity

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. ( . . . ) I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

I am reminded of these verses every time I pass one of Jesus's "brothers" in the streets of Antigua. I am also reminded (and ashamed) of all of the times I have looked over "the least of these." There have been several encounters that I have had over the past week that have allowed me to live out the first part of the verses above (if even in a very superficial manner)... by dropping my few extra quetzales in the cup of the elderly blind woman who is always begging outside of the restaurants surrounding Parque Central, by buying some bread to give to the elderly man who was searching through the trashcans on the streets, or by giving my leftover lunch to the eight-year-old shoe shiner who asked me what I had in my hand. I know that I am serving Jesus when I serve these brothers of mine; yet, I am left with the feeling that both I and they are still unsatisfied. A few coins have been dropped, some pieces of food have been given, but is their hunger truly quenched? What is at the root of this poverty, this begging without shame? I struggled with the same questions while working in an inner-city school in Nashville. I could offer bits of knowledge and show love to my students through encouragement and hugs, but what was the long-term effect when they were returning to the same homes and neighborhoods (some consisting of an even deeper and darker poverty than that which exists on the streets of Antigua)?

I think the key lies in relationship and commitment. Maybe I'm the only one, but I think I tend to focus on the first two phrases in the verses above, thinking, "Sure, I can spare some food and water (or a few coins) for someone in need." Meanwhile, I push aside the suggestion that I might invite in, clothe, or visit with someone because (as I might say to myself) that is too dangerous or it takes too much time and energy. I don't believe Jesus meant for the former to be separated from the latter. I think that living the life of a disciple means not just giving of food or money to "the least of these," but also giving of self. Perhaps if we engaged more in relationship with the "brothers" out on the streets or living in the projects, we could discover the root of the issues they are dealing with. Perhaps we would realize that their desires and needs are not much different than our own. Perhaps we would both leave a little more "satisfied"...

~DeeDee