While doing some research for a new ministry at our parish, I stumbled across this quote from Pope Francis:
“The Son of God came into this world as a homeless person.” The son of God knew what it was to start life without a roof over his head.”
Photo from USA TODAY
This reminds me of an article I read quite a few years ago. It was about statue, a piece of public art, that was on display outside of an Episcopal church in North Carolina. It is called, “Jesus the Homeless.”
It was created by artist Timothy Schmalz, and it’s a life-sized sculpture of a man sleeping on a park bench, completely covered with a blanket. The only parts of him you can see are his bare feet, which bear the marks left by nails – or the remnants of crucifixion. In other words, this homeless man on the bench is Jesus.
This sculpture really opens our eyes and challenges us to think about Christ being present in the poor. It relates directly back to the Gospel of Matthew, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ ~Matthew 25:40. It reminds us of how we are to have concern and take action for those who are marginalized in our society. It’s finding Christ in those who are desperate, needy, unloved, and forgotten.
Do we see Jesus when we witness those who sleep on park benches with nothing more than a blanket and no roof over their heads? Do we experience Christ in those who huddle under a bridge trying to seek shelter from the elements? Or the ones who ask for money on the street corners or at the train station?
Jesus is always present among us, even in those who seem unrecognizable. As Deacon Greg Kandra said, “He is whoever we imagine him to be, with only the marks on his feet to give him away. Even those scars might go undetected if you don’t know to look for them.”
May our prayer this week be that we have eyes to see that Jesus is present in everyone we encounter. If you pass a homeless person on the street, do not rush by, or turn your eyes in the opposite direction. Take a deep look into their eyes, and truly notice that God is in your presence.
Each one of us is being called to be Jesus to the world. Read how we carry out that calling.
