Dream! Here Comes the Son ...

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Reckless Abandonment to the Lord Finds us the Way Home

Every road leads back to You

Every journey lies in You, so

Lead me home my Lover, Savior

Lead me home my Master, Redeemer

Lead me home and I will rest in You ... Matt Maher

For all of us who are "homeless" may the Lord lead us on the way home: “Lead me, O God, along whatever roads You please… Bid me to undertake work, I will undertake it; leave me in uncertainty of the work until I die, be blessed; give me death when, humanly speaking, my life seems particularly necessary, be blessed. Should You take me in my Youth, be blessed; should You let me live until a ripe old age, be blessed. Should You give me health and strength, be blessed, should You confine me to a bed of pain my whole life, be blessed. Should You only give failure and disappointments in life, be blessed. Should You allow my purest intentions to be condemned, be blessed. Should You enlighten my mind, be blessed. Should You leave me in the darkness with all kinds of torments, be blessed.” The Diary of Saint Faustina, Notebook IV, 1264.

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Fr. Henri Nouwen on Lust Vs. Self-righteousness & a New Poll

Yesterday's blog raised the question of the sins of lust vs. those of self-righteousness. Henri Nouwen in his acclaimed book, The Return of the Prodigal Son raised the question as well after a lengthy contemplation of the younger son, the elder son and the painting by Rembrandt.

He discuses the following trend of thought in chapter six of his treatise... In Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, the younger son is swept away by lust, greed and is wickedly wasteful. The elder son, although he is obedient and dutiful, he is swept away by the darkness of selfishness, pride and bitter arrogance. (cf. The Return of the Prodigal Son, Henri Nouwen, Image Books, Doubleday, New York, 1994, chapter six, pg.71 ff.) Nouwen asks, “which offense is more identifiable to sinners, lust or self-righteousness?”

As we come to grips with our own “lostness,” in return, we have a stronger capability to appreciate the brokenness of the homeless, the confused and the abandoned. Along with Fr. Nouwen, we initiate the following question-poll: “In your opinion, which sin is more readily identifiable and easily repented for, lust or self-righteousness?” Scroll down to the bottom of the main page and vote in all the HIA polls.

Safe Landing?

a reflection from

Servants of the Father of Mercy

http://www.servantsofthefather.org/

From time to time, we lose our correct way in life, don’t we? Apparently, John Kennedy, Jr. lost his way as FAA reports make sense of a needless plane crash. Up became down and down appeared to be up. The result? A deathly speed demon of a crash into the glass wall of the ocean.

To some, being a liberal Christian seems to be Jesus’ correct way. Yet, to others a good old fashioned conservative fiery sermon, organ-driven choir-loft choristers singing four-part harmony or even a Latin Mass is the correct way. Yet, Jesus speaks of a more excellent way, “This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you.” (cf. John 15:12) We’ve been hearing a lot about this from John in the recent Sunday and daily Mass readings the past few weeks. If you are non Catholic and you are still lovingly reading this with compassion, it probably means that even more so than some of us Catholics, you are on the correct way.

So what is the way? (Like John Kennedy, Jr., we may want to know. He was searching for the way in his last moments, but did not find it. Frantic last minute searches usually end up disastrous.)
Is the way liberal? Is it conservative? What if it is neither? If the goal is landing our plane in heaven, would it not be important to know the way?

Consider this, according to Jesus’ love commandment, when a liberal judges a conservative, God must be on the side of the conservative. Conversely, when a conservative judges a liberal, more-than-likely He must be on the side of the liberal. While serving the poor most of her life, Blessed Mother Teresa determined that “love is the measure.”

If God is not on the side of the liberal or the conservative, then who’s side is He on? Who does He defend? Today’s Psalm reading gives us clues as to who is in and who is out. Who might receive God's support and is landing and who may be crashing …

“Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
extol him who rides on the clouds;
rejoice before him—his name is the LORD.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.

God sets the lonely in families,
he leads out the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” Psalm 68:4-6

Welcome to the Kingdom of God where down is up – up is down, millions lose the way and the whole darn thing is twisted inside out and upside down. Here, apparently loser repentants are raised: The prostitute is protected, the lonely is loved, the gay is given, the homeless weep (but one day will laugh), the addicted is added, the fat and overweight are found, the loser is lifted and the prisoner is prized. However, the powerful are pummeled, haters wind up in hell, self-righteous are removed and even a pastor or priest can be passed by. May we all hunger and thirst - seek ardently to find the narrow way and otherwise avoid disastrous results. May we all land safely in heaven.

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Memorial Day, an Important Occasion to Remember our Homeless Veterans

The Rock Church in Columbia, TN rocks! The pastor’s wife recently shared that her brother has been homeless on and off for many years. “One year” she recalls, “my mom and I found my brother....that was really a miracle. It was winter, an inch or so of snow on the ground...my brother had no shoes on, just socks!!! His shoes had been stolen. My heart was so broken! My heart has been so moved by my brother’s story that I feel I must help others like him. So my church and I collected over 250 pairs of shoes for them. We have also collected coats and water.”

Many people don't know the statistics – between 30 and 40 percent of all homeless men are veterans! 25% of all homeless people are mentally ill! This Memorial Day, it’s is an important occasion to remember that it’s time we all step up and take care of our homeless veterans and those who cannot take care of themselves.

More on the Internet at http://www.therockcolumbia.com/

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Billionaires Address "Need"

A billionaires' summit was held in New York City earlier this month according to ABC News and the New York Post. Billionaire Americans met behind closed doors to address “need” according to Michael Bloomberg, one of the attendees.

Bill Gates and Warren Buffett organized the hush-hush huddle held in a Rockefeller University conference room on the Upper East Side with Mayor Bloomberg, George Soros, Oprah Winfrey, Eli Broad, Ted Turner, David Rockefeller Sr. and David Rockefeller Jr., among others.

In all, the attendees have donated a collective $70 billion since 1996, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Bloomberg, worth an estimated $20 billion, yesterday declined to discuss specifics of the meeting. "I meet periodically with lots of my friends who are philanthropic," he said. "All my friends are philanthropic or they probably wouldn't be my friends . . ."

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High School Musical? Not!

By Bo Bryan
Excerpts from the Myrtle Beach Herald

More than two-hundred homeless teens attend Myrtle Beach High School. Some live in tents at local campgrounds, abandoned by wandering parents. Some squat in abandoned buildings, without electricity, without running water. Some have after-school jobs, earning enough money to rent a room at a cheap motel. Others engage in a day-to-day search, “bumming nights” as they call it, from fellow students who have homes to go to.

“[Homeless] kids are ashamed of their condition,” said assistant principal Jane Roberts. “They might have two pairs of blue jeans, a couple of T-shirts and one pair of underwear.”

At the beginning of each year, students fill out the “McKinney–Vento” form, telling where they reside. Anyone not living in a “permanent” residence is considered homeless and is therefore eligible for free breakfast and lunch at school.

“After school, [the homeless] go hungry,” Roberts said.
Teachers and administrators volunteer their own contributions. The school maintains a food locker and a clothes closet for donated items.

Over Christmas [break], when school lets out for the holiday, homeless students will have to eat breakfast and lunch somewhere besides the school cafeteria. Teachers and administrators contribute [to them] out of their own pockets, “instead of buying so many presents for each other,” said Goings. “We put in together and do for the kids what we can.”

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Destroy my Complacency and Stir Compassion

Oh God, when I have food, help me remember the hungry. When I have work, help me remember the jobless. When I have a warm home, help me to remember the homeless. When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer. And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency and stir compassion. Make me concerned enough to help, by word and deed those who cry out for what we take for granted. Samuel Pugh, Salesian Missions

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We Ought to Perform One Act of Mercy a Day

[We] ought to perform at least one act of mercy a day; at least one, but there can be many more, for such deeds can easily be carried out by anyone, even the poorest. For there are three ways of performing an act of mercy: a merciful word [given to others], by forgiving and by comforting [them]. Secondly, If you can offer no word, then you can pray [for others] – that too is mercy; and thirdly deeds of mercy. And when the Last Day comes, we shall be judged from this, and on this basis we shall receive the eternal verdict. Diary of Saint Faustina, Notebook III, 1158.

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"There is always enough food for the poor of Jesus." Saint Isidore the Farmer

Isidore was born in 1070, in Madrid, Spain. His parents were deeply religious. They named their son after the great St. Isidore, archbishop of Seville, Spain. His parents wanted to offer their son a first-rate education, but they could not afford it. They were tenant farmers. Their son would spend his life working behind a plough in the fields.

St. Isidore began each day at Mass. Then he would go to his job. He tried to work hard even if he didn't feel like it. He plowed and planted and prayed. He called on Mary, the saints and his guardian angel. When he had a day off, Isidore made it a point to spend extra time adoring Christ in various churches around Madrid.

Once, the parish had a dinner. Isidore arrived early and went into the church to pray. He arrived in the parish hall late. He didn't come in alone. He brought a group of beggars, too. The parishioners were upset. What if there wasn't enough food for all those beggars? But the more they filled up their plates, the more there was for everybody else. St. Isidore said kindly, "There is always enough for the poor of Jesus."

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We are a Massive Army Camped on one Side of a River

Adapted from a Writing of

John Christopher

A Servant of the Poor in Melbourne, Australia

The homeless ... are far outnumbered by regular working Church attending Christian people.

THEREFORE
Statistically a Homeless person’s friendship group should be made up of many Christian friends. If a Christian has no other Homeless friend other than Christ, who is in heaven, those homeless whom we can see and we do not serve - then there might be a problem with our Faith.

Of Course that is based on the PREMISE that all Christians believe they are to follow God's direct instructions through the Bible and from Jesus' own words to make time and develop a meaningful relationship with the lost, poor and homeless of the city they live in.

SYMBOLICALLY
We are a massive army camped on one side of a river, year after year, while the village on the other side is constantly attacked and raided, the people maimed, abandoned and murdered. Occasionally some soldiers or small patrols head across the river and return with a message that more help is needed ...

REPLY
Someone's reply: "I know the King has asked us to go across and fight, but I am busy with camp cooking, cleaning and besides, my sword is not yet sharp enough."

Yet another may reply: "I know the King is due back to the camp soon, when that happens he will lead us across the river and we shall crush the enemy under our heel.. how great and glorious that day will be!"

What might be your reply?

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Middleclass America - Fat, Dumb & Happy or Compassionate?

About six months ago, HIA began to poll readers about the amount of concern for the poor and homeless found within Christian churches in middleclass America. The following survey was presented: “In my opinion, the poor and homeless prompt this reaction from the average established Christian congregation worshiping in a common middleclass American suburb today.”

Here is how they responded …

* 46% had an optimistic perception of wealthy middleclass American Christians. They thought this was the best way to describe their involvement in the lives of the poor … “We organize an ongoing food pantry, clothing drives & more!”

* 47% believe there is apathy in wealthy Middle America toward the poor and homeless. In their opinion, they thought that one of the following is the most appropriate way to describe their concern … “Homeless? Are there many? I haven’t seen any here.” Or, “There was an outreach last Thanksgiving.” And lastly, “We write a [annual] check to the Rescue Mission at Christmas.”

* 7% did not believe that their opinion was represented in the survey and checked “None of the above” as their response.

Thank you for participating in the polls. Please scroll down to the bottom of this page and participate in the many new surveys recently launched.

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Should Perfectly Good Food be Thrown into Dumpsters?

38 Million Americans are either hungry or on the brink of hunger. And yet many grocery stores, popular food chains and local restaurants continue to put food that could be used for the poor into dumpsters. (Photo: One Day's Catch Dumpster Diving) It’s really a crime how much food that could be used to feed hungry Americans continues to be put into dumpsters. And many of these food service groups have gone as far as to post no trespassing signs on the dumpsters as well as locking the doors shut when unattended. Establishments are fearful to release the food to mission organizations or lay missioners even if it is only a day or two beyond the expiration date for risk of law suits.

What do you think? Should there be a law that prevents wasting of food in America? Should mission groups and individuals be given at least 48 hours to recover and distribute food that has expired to the poor? Scroll down and vote in the HIA poll near the bottom of this page. Please take a moment and vote in all our polls.

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From the Comfort of your own Home you can do some Good!

Many of our readers and bloggers at Homeless In America may not have frequent opportunities to serve Jesus in the homeless on the streets, under bridges and in alleyways. But don’t let that stop you from doing some good for them. From the comfort of your own home, you can help Homeless In America to bring the unbelievable message of Christ living in the poor to more Americans. We’re asking readers and bloggers this week to help double/triple the subscription base by immediately enrolling 2-3 friends. Subscribe in the top right column with the persons’ email addresses. Give the homeless a budding voice in America. The more subscribers, the more voices there are for the poor we serve. Thank you for joining our drive for new subscribers. Blessings! upon your compassion and mercy for the growing abandoned we so love in America.

You will save us, Lord - from captivity to our dark thoughts, foggy reasoning and sinful stupidity

Christ, now raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has power over Him, alleluia! (cf. Romans 6:9)

God’s power and love is made manifest in the resurrection of Christ. With confidence and trust in Him, we can pray …

R You will save us, Lord!

From the prison of selfish pursuits and shuttered hearts that block out the light of love,
- deliver us from evil. R

From the confinement of our wandering, forgetting and homelessness,
- deliver us from poverty. R

From captivity to our dark thoughts, foggy reasoning and sinful stupidity,
- deliver us from darkness into light. R

From chains that we still hold so tight, preferring captivity to liberty,
- deliver us from prison. R

From apathy and carelessness of the abandoned,
- deliver us from blindness. R

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Taking a Hard Look at ourselves, Self-knowledge is the Path to Charity

By Saint Catherine of Siena

I don’t see how you can have this sort of strength, a strength whose source is the gentle mother charity, unless you keep the eye of self-knowledge open always. Self-knowledge is the dwelling in which we discover our lowliness, and this makes us humble. There we find knowledge of God’s goodness too, and in this light a warmth, a fire of love is born in us – so gently that all bitterness becomes sweet, everything weak grows strong, and all the ice of selfish love melts away. Then we no longer love ourselves selfishly, but for God. And more, we pour out a river of tears and spread our loving desires out over all our sisters and brothers, loving them with a pure love, without self-interest. And we love God for God’s sake, because He is supreme eternal Goodness, worthy of being loved … Let’s not put off any longer our move into this holy dwelling of self-knowledge.

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