‘If you’re in trouble or hurt or need - go to poor people. They’re the only ones that’ll help - the only ones’. (John Steinbeck/The grapes of wrath (1939)
I had the privilege of meeting with him twice, on my way to see my family and on my return home journey. Same place both times. Large bottle of cider at his feet, just sitting there. I had actually passed him by but returned offering him my prayer. He gladly accepted kissing it before he placed it in his pocket. ‘Have you any spare change, I don’t like to ask’, he said. Of course I shared my widow’s mite. Everyone needs money!! I asked him to please pray for me, he said he would and I knew he meant it.
Next day I told him; ‘I’m Bridget. I gave you my prayer yesterday’. ‘Indeed you did’, he replied smiling, ‘It is in my room and I prayed it this morning. I will pray for you and your family Mam’.
I shared my widow’s mite with him again. The way he looked at me uttering: ‘God Bless you. Thank you for your kindness’. Spending that little time in his company, pure gold to my heart.
I would have loved to stay awhile, hear what he might say, but like others in his predicament, (I have found), he has no need of company. His neediness is well and truly over. Low expectations. No paper ‘spare change’ cup by his side!! He wears the world lightly.
Walking on, my heart was sad. Folk dashing past, going about their business, hither and thither. My friend invisible in plain sight! If only they would see him, even a furtive glance in his direction. Oh they would not have walked away empty handed. I most certainly did not!
Yes, Jesus was sitting alone on the cold cement, hidden in plain sight, waiting to bless us all……
‘Do not turn your face away from any poor man and the Face of God will not be turned away from you’. (Tobit 4:7)
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