|
2 members (EasternChristian19, 1 invisible),
1,537
guests, and
92
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums26
Topics35,508
Posts417,509
Members6,161
| |
Most Online3,380
Dec 29th, 2019
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,930
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,930 |
Yesterday I came of of the grocery store. Two young men were asking for money. I told them that I couldn't give them money because they would only buy alcohol and asked if they would like apples instead. They accepted and as I loaded my car we talked about Christ. At one point in the conversation I encouraged them to pray using words like this, " The Lord hears the cries of the poor." The demeanor of one instantaneously changed. He was offended. I quickly realized the problem. " No, I dont't mean poor.I mean poor in spirit. The Lord hears the cries of the broken-hearted." Amazingly he smiled. Calling him poor was offensive to his dignity. Recognizing he was brokenhearted was love.
in peace, AMEN! There was a Salesian priest here in Birmingham, a young priest, actually a convert from the Methodist Church. Before coming here, he was a teacher a very affluent Catholic High School. He felt that the students and parents were very poor in that they did not realize and recognize the blessings of God upon their lives, they were spiritually poor. So he asked to be transferred to a very poor area. So they brought him here to 'Gate City', the poorist 'project' in the city and even has it's own jail. He thought for sure here, people would realize God's love in their lives. The Church there, Holy Rosary, is well over 100 years old, maybe 125 yrs now, it is just the most awesome little wooden church. The Salesians have taken care of the people there for years, even when the gangs moved in - the gangs marked the church off for their protection - but he was so disappointed because the people did not realize they were spiritually poor either.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,930
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,930 |
Yesterday I came of of the grocery store. Two young men were asking for money. I told them that I couldn't give them money because they would only buy alcohol and asked if they would like apples instead. They accepted and as I loaded my car we talked about Christ. At one point in the conversation I encouraged them to pray using words like this, " The Lord hears the cries of the poor." The demeanor of one instantaneously changed. He was offended. I quickly realized the problem. " No, I dont't mean poor.I mean poor in spirit. The Lord hears the cries of the broken-hearted." Amazingly he smiled. Calling him poor was offensive to his dignity. Recognizing he was brokenhearted was love.
in peace, AMEN! There was a Salesian priest here in Birmingham, a young priest, actually a convert from the Methodist Church. Before coming here, he was a teacher a very affluent Catholic High School. He felt that the students and parents were very poor in that they did not realize and recognize the blessings of God upon their lives, they were spiritually poor. So he asked to be transferred to a very poor area. So they brought him here to 'Gate City', the poorist 'project' in the city and even has it's own jail. He thought for sure here, people would realize God's love in their lives. The Church there, Holy Rosary, is well over 100 years old, maybe 125 yrs now, it is just the most awesome little wooden church. The Salesians have taken care of the people there for years, even when the gangs moved in - the gangs marked the church off for their protection - but he was so disappointed because the people did not realize they were spiritually poor either. So I really think in both cases it is dignity. People recognize what they accomplish or don't accomplish, but they don't realize there worth in God's eyes as his children.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 34
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 34 |
In the U.S. it is hard to believe that there is poor.( with the exception of the mentally ill,homeless.. Our welfare system makes the truly poor around the world long to be part of this colony. I often think that the poorest here still have a roof over their head and are never hungry. Mother Theresa said that there is only spiritual poverty here. The poor around the world would gladly accept the state of the "poor" here.Our poor along with the rest of us are usually chubby. The Church is called to bring the Good News and truly that is what this society lacks. We only have true dignity in the realization that we are the heir's to Christ's Kingdom.Before anyone objects, Mother Theresa was the one who first claimed the lack of material poverty and the abundance of spiritual poverty in the States.
in peace,
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,994 Likes: 10
Moderator Member
|
|
Moderator Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,994 Likes: 10 |
I have a cute story....(always remembering, 'but by the grace of God, go I')....
After my son graduated from college, he, his sister and a few very close friends went out to a Greek restaurant in NYC to celebrate. My daughter had not finished her meal, so she asked that they wrap it up for her to take home.
As they left the restaurant, she noticed a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk. She asked him if he would like her food. He responded, "well..sure...but not if it is sushi, because somebody gave me sushi yesterday, and I didn't like it at all!" She responded, "don't worry, you will definitely like this food because it is Greek, and Greek food is really good!"
He accepted it, and hopefully he agreed with her!
May God bless that man, wherever he is.
In Christ,
Alice   I think my thought there is dignity. That even in their genoristy, the homeless person realizes he has dignity. I think that is something that is so often forgotten. Archbisop Raya spoke often and loudly about the dignity of the individual. Dear Pani Rose, Absolutely dear sister, absolutely! Dignity needs to be afforded to everyone, the homeless, our friends, our families, our neighbors, strangers we encounter, and even fellow posters--some of whom may have little in their lives because of age, illness, circumstance, depression, loneliness, etc. but wish to find some compassion, respect, conversation and love from fellow Christians on an internet forum. To those like you who realize that, I bow in reverence to the image of Christ within you!  In Christ, Alice
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,930
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,930 |
I have a cute story....(always remembering, 'but by the grace of God, go I')....
After my son graduated from college, he, his sister and a few very close friends went out to a Greek restaurant in NYC to celebrate. My daughter had not finished her meal, so she asked that they wrap it up for her to take home.
As they left the restaurant, she noticed a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk. She asked him if he would like her food. He responded, "well..sure...but not if it is sushi, because somebody gave me sushi yesterday, and I didn't like it at all!" She responded, "don't worry, you will definitely like this food because it is Greek, and Greek food is really good!"
He accepted it, and hopefully he agreed with her!
May God bless that man, wherever he is.
In Christ,
Alice I think my thought there is dignity. That even in their genoristy, the homeless person realizes he has dignity. I think that is something that is so often forgotten. Archbisop Raya spoke often and loudly about the dignity of the individual. Dear Pani Rose, Absolutely dear sister, absolutely! Dignity needs to be afforded to everyone, the homeless, our friends, our families, our neighbors, strangers we encounter, and even fellow posters--some of whom may have little in their lives because of age, illness, circumstance, depression, loneliness, etc. but wish to find some compassion, respect, conversation and love from fellow Christians on an internet forum. To those like you who realize that, I bow in reverence to the image of Christ within you! In Christ, Alice You know speaking of elderly, not that I am a proud grandma because I am, anyway we take Marley to cardiac rehab with us once a week. He has made friends with so many 'elderly' there. He initiates the playing, and gets them to laughing and playing with him, almost everyone talks to him. (He is a year old, but is also almost three feet tall) Then they start telling me that they are alone, or they don't have any grandchildren, or their story. People look for him on the days we don't bring him, as Fr. Deacon Stan is there three days a week. Kind of like he has his own little ministry going. People can't get over the fact that if I say 'no Mr. Marley' he stops and doesn't do whatever he is getting into. Even the nurses come out and find him, to hug him. It hit me one day - this little guy that we think has no idea, has brought much joy into the lives of so many people. I pray for him that these very young tender years may be a life long work. I wonder if somehow he knows what he is doing? In his own way I think he recognizes their dignity.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,994 Likes: 10
Moderator Member
|
|
Moderator Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,994 Likes: 10 |
May God bless you little granchild each and every day, and may He bless his parents and his grandparents! It is nice to hear such happy stories from you, and it is most amazing how truly angelic and aware of God these little ones are, and how close they also are to the understanding of God..much more so than adults! We rejoice with you in your grandchild! Love, Alice
|
|
|
|
|
