I am getting to grips with posting blogs, and finding my bearings around my site. I am scrambling about, one moment thinking I am improving and know what I am doing and the next a block appears and can’t be edited, then I have to work out why etc. etc. I am going to persevere because I want to feel I am doing something – well or poorly is something I will find out further up the line.
Today’s readings have given me lots to think about. The story of Lazarus and the rich man worries me. I do walk past beggars and if I do drop any money in their hats, I don’t stop to talk to them, just smile and walk by and say a small prayer for them. Is that loving them enough? I do see others stop to talk to them and wish I could think of how I could do that. A lot of people want to know how they got into this position, why they had come so low that they had to live on the street and beg. I don’t know if they like being cross examined like that or if they tell the truth about their situation. A lot of the time drugs and drink are involved, but some people lose their jobs, their health deteriorates or their marriages break up and they have nowhere to go and it is all downhill for them. The rich man in the Lazarus story doesn’t seem to notice the sores or desperation of the man sitting on his doorstep. We are told that Lazarus would eat the crumbs from the rich man’s table if he could, so not even the unwanted leftovers are given to him.
We can only do our best and at the very least say a prayer for those who are in this position. In some areas there are so many beggars you can’t give to them all. I think the biggest message is to care, open our eyes, see these people and their needs and pray for them:
‘Lord, please protect and heal this person. You know what their needs are more than we do. Father of all, comfort them through your Holy Spirit and may they feel loved and valued and above all may they be given the grace to find you and have faith and trust in you, through Christ Our Lord. Amen.’
Widows Mote 