Jesus Loves the "Strays"

We have a stray cat in our neighborhood. I've known him for nine years - since he was a kitten. I knew his mother, another stray. His sister and niece have lived in our house for many years. But he was never interested in being a house cat. He'd accept the food that we and other neighbors put out for him. Later in his life, he'd pop over the threshold. But was howling to go back out within an hour of coming in. 

This past January, during one of those icy "polar vortexes" he made the bold decision to stay the night. I put a blanket down behind a chair where he would sit when he had visited in the past. That night, I slept on the couch in case he got frightened and wanted to go back out during the night. I'm sure we both slept poorly, not sure we could trust the other in this new situation. As soon as the sun was rising he howled to be let out again. But he came back in the next night. After about about a week he bravely spent the night on the couch and eventually even moved to another room to sleep on a chair under the dining room table. He even learned to "play" with some cat toys we set out just for him. He had his own catnip banana and especially enjoyed playing with a toy attached to a string and a rod that we'd dangle for him. 

But every morning he howled to go back out. And now as the weather warms at night, he chooses not to stay inside for more than an hour again.

It recently occurred to me that this might have been the kind of relationship Jesus had with the many people he encountered during his time on earth. The religious leaders of the time often criticised Jesus for ministering to the less desirable people in society: the sick, possessed, prostitutes, tax collectors, samaritans ... we've heard all about those folks. We've heard about the ones he healed, or fed, or forgave. We've heard about some that thanked him, and some that just went on their way. 

I often wonder if there were some who never really repented. If they were able to lift themselves away from their undesireable positions in society. What happened to them?

Every day, I feed that cat and beg him to stay in my warm and safe house. And every day, after a too-short visit he insists on leaving. He trusts us more. He let's us brush his long fur and tend to burrs and ticks. But back out to the yard he goes. Every day, I care for him and tell him I love him. But that love and care hasn't taken the stray out of the cat.

Homelessness is a difficult situation in our community. So many homeless people don't respond the way we would like them to when we try to help. It's so easy to give up and say, I can't fix it so why should I continue to try? 

But Jesus tried his whole life. Every day he would love and care for them and I suspect that sometimes that didn't fix the problem. But Jesus still loved and cared. Jesus still loves and cares. 

Did I See Him Today?

Back at church for book club. One of our members left a little early for an appointment, then came rushing back in. "There is a man by my car. He is on the ground. He is not responding!"

We talked with Rev. Tim before he went out. Yes, we've experienced issues with homeless people. The police will respond to us if we call the non-emergency number. Rev. Tim went out to see if he could help the man. Someone called the police. Rev. Tim was talking to the man, trying to revive him. He was touching him gently on the shoulders. It occurred to me that he was touching the man in a way that Jesus might have touched the people he healed. He was gentle and calming. Was this what the disciples would have witnessed so long ago?  

The police arrived and tried to help get the man up. Then they called for paramedics. Another fire department truck came as is usually the case when paramedics are called. Some of us stayed inside and watched from the window - not wanting to be in the way of the helpers. They put the man on a stretcher and then moved him into the ambulance. 

I didn't get a good look at him, but it seemed to be the same man I'd given the graham crackers to just the day before. I don't know what became of him. I don't know if he was healed or helped or ...? But I do believe Jesus was with him in that moment.

The Next Day

Today, I had a meeting at church and had a "sighting". There was a man sitting with his back resting on the back of the gas station building next to our parking lot. He was drinking from a soda can and seemed like one of the many homeless people in our downtown area.

I keep a container of graham crackers in my car for a snack. I took out the crackers and walked up to him. I asked, "Have you eaten today? I have these graham crackers if you would like them." 

He looked at them and seemed confused. "What are these?"

"Graham crackers," I responded. "They are like a sweet cracker. They're good. You can have these." He took them. "Have a good day," I said and went into the church.

 Note to self, remember to introduce yourself and ask his name. I'm shy about that. But it is so important! To recognize the humanity we have in common!

Lord, when did we see you?

Sometime in my 20s I was travelling to Chicago with my family on an early morning train. When we arrived at the station we stopped at McDonalds to grab breakfast. When we went in, there was a disheveled man sitting outside the store. It was likely the first time I encountered a "beggar" and I didn't know what to do. Maybe he was hungry or addicted. But I'll never know. I didn't even know his name. My instinct at the time was to steer clear of him because he seemed somehow dangerous or, I'm embarrassed to admit, unworthy.

The encounter sticks with me to this day. I'm sure I was thinking about Matthew 25. I didn't realize it immediately, but certainly here, I was seeing Jesus. Whenever I revisit that memory, and I have guiltily revisited it many times, I've thought well, what should I or could I have done?

Since then I've encountered "street people" many times. Often with the same fear of them. But recently I've been moving past that fear. Sometimes I've given them the snack I often carry in my purse. Sometimes I'm even brave enough to say, "Tell me your name." (As a generally shy person, that is a huge feat!)

Yesterday in church, our Sabbatical minister, Rev. Dr. Tim Perkins (or as he prefers, Tim) preached on this passage. He invited each of us to take a small, beautifully fashioned wooden cross. I purposely chose one showing many of the dark brown rings that tell the story of the life and struggles of the tree. He suggested to us that we look for the hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, and imprisioned.

Perhaps this blog will enlighten my journey through Matthew 25.