The homeless ones

My trip to PJ New Town, today to the MBPJ office to pay assessment bills and get a licence for my dog, always means a stop at my favorite prawn mee stall. I had been 'fasting' since the night before and just had my regular blood test for my kidney function. Well, I enjoyed my favorite food and as I was finishing I saw the 'homeless lady' who must be quite familiar to the regulars in New Town. She came into the coffee shop, glanced at me as she passed by and then sat down at a table by herself. I had the chance to ask her to sit with me, but threw it away. I was too slow and did not know what to say! Probably a bit of embarrassment as well, not wanting to attract attention - I have spoken to her before and know that she probably has a mental problem as well. Last time, she could not quite understand me. May be partly due to my poor Cantonese accent! Anyway, I finished my food and as I was leaving the shop, I plucked up the courage to just go up to her and give her a few dollars. She was just sitting at a table by herself. No verbal communication -again, probably didn't want to embarrass myself.

What a poor way to be 'salt and light'. Thinking of myself first, of my embarrassment, of attracting attention......I just started reading and praying through exercises from a spiritual formation book (The Way of Forgiveness). The first exercise is to recall and soak in the reality that God says, "You are my child, the beloved; with you I am well pleased." As we receive this blessing, we are asked to take it with us through the day....to see others through the transfiguring lens of the blessing. Indeed, it gives a new perspective to every person....especially the ones that are not easy to reach out to.

As Christians we should be compassionate towards the homeless ones. After all, we were once also 'homeless' until the Lord sheltered us with his loving embrace.

(Of course, there are always instances where trust is betrayed. I just received an email about a man who shared his sad story with a brother at church and was given some money. A few weeks later this brother saw the same man, well dressed, at an upmarket coffee outlet.)