Does Anyone Really Know Much About "Uncle Sam?"

Not much is really known about "Uncle Sam." It seems as though he is a benevolent fellow who really cares. If he were alive today (maybe he is?), it seems as though he would care about homeless Americans and our mission to serve them here at Homeless In America. We do know one thing about "Uncle Sam." He always wants YOU! We like to think that he would want you, your family and friends to subscribe to this blog. It's free! That is one of many good reasons to take a moment today and invite and announce to your email list, Facebook, blog and web sites an invitation to subscribe to http://www.homelessinamerica.blogspot.com/ Please join us now in this drive for new subscribers. Without your help, this voice for the homeless poor can not grow. You may not have time to go out on the streets directly helping the homeless, but this is a great way to do your part for the poor - right from the comfort of your own home or office. Thank you for all your help gaining new subscribers today for Homeless In America. May God bless your heart and your efforts!

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These people saw power in their riches and elaborate displays of showiness.

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your King comes to you,
righteous and having salvation,
meek and riding on a ass,
on a colt, the foal of a ass. Zechariah 9:9

As we contemplate the mystery of Palm Sunday, may we include in our thoughts the Lord’s poverty. May we see Him for who He really is on this day – a sojourner, a migrant, dirty and dusty who had no comeliness about Him. Yet, it is precisely this - His meekness, His poverty and His humility that brings Jesus to the kingly city of Jerusalem. Was his humble entrance on an ass a slap in the face to the Romans and the pompous priests, Pharisees and Sadducees? Quite possibly! These people saw power in their riches and elaborate displays of showiness. But Jesus calls us to unite with Him in His poverty? Crazy! Where are the television and radio preachers who guarantee us wealth, health and earthly happiness. Can they defend us from Jesus’ words, “[but] my kingdom is not of this world.” No they can’t because His word will stand forever, just as it is. If we choose to suffer and die with him, so too shall we be raised with Him. That is the Easter promise coming next Sunday . . .
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**Invite your family and friends to Subscribe! The top right column of the main page.
***Scroll way, way down to near the bottom of this main page and vote in the polls.
****List yourself as a blog follower, middle right column.
*****Loosen up our hearts and wallets – help give the Homeless In America food, water, clothing, Bibles and spiritual supplies. Donate at: http://www.servantsofthefather.org/donation_homeless

The Passover Season is a Great Time to Renew our Jewish Roots

Being homeless is not so unusual in light of Biblical history. The entire Jewish nation was homeless at one time as they wandered in the desert. They had to rely on God for everything. Without Faith in God, they were in lack of the basics – food, water and shelter. Their example in this homeless situation is our gain. Their wandering is a type and foreshadowing of every person’s homeless journey – homeless that is until we have Faith in God. Trusting in God . . . He will shelter us. He will give us food from heaven. He will give us living water. We will be homeless no more. In this Passover season, let us be reminded of our Jewish roots and of our own homelessness.
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Saint Joseph - Patron Saint of the Homeless

Saint Joseph, of the house and lineage of David – he is the faithful servant put in charge of the Lord’s house. “The Lord has put his faithful servant in charge of His household.” Luke 12:42

Almighty God, you entrusted to Saint Joseph the protection of the Holy Family, a homeless family while finding a manger for Jesus to be born and with Mary, fleeing Bethlehem for Egypt to find a safe sanctuary. Grant today that your Church may sustain all the poor homeless with the same fervor and devotion of St. Joseph. This we pray on the feast of his day, Amen.

You alone Lord can bring us home, and so we humbly pray:

R By your touch, grant us peace!

You called Saint Joseph to be the foster father of Jesus:
- grant us the grace to follow in his foot steps to be father, mother, brother and sister to the lost and the lonely. R

You chose Saint Joseph to be the protector of the Holy Family:
- grant us the grace to protect the rights of the poor, the marginalized, isolated and underserved. R

You provided a safe haven for the Holy Family, while homeless and on the road in Egypt:
- grant us the grace to shelter the homeless, clothe the naked and feed the hungry. R

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Pray an on-going Servants of the Father of Mercy devotion to the Holy Fathers of Christ - God the Father and Saint Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. Visit - http://servantsofthefather.org/sfm_rosary

Another Great Prayer to Help Out the Homeless People in Purgatory

Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory

Our Lord told St. Gertrude the Great, that the following prayer would release 1,000 souls from Purgatory each time it is said. The prayer was also extended to include living sinners which would alleviate the indebtedness accrued to them during their lives.

Eternal Father, I offer You the Most Precious
Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with
the Masses said throughout the world today,
for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners
everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church,
those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

Also see Monday, February 22, 2010, A Great Prayer to Prevent Spiritual Homelessness Upon Your Death.
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Compassion

By Genevieve Glen, O.S.B.

Compassion walks the city street
And listens for uncertain feet
That seek a home they cannot find
Because the heart that leads is blind.
Compassion holds a steady light
To show the way through chill of night
And takes the homeless by the hand
To lead them to a warmer land.

Compassion walks where life is hard,
Where eyes are blank and faces marred
By pain too great to understand,
And shoulders those too weak to stand.
Compassion is the Shepherd's name:
Who from the halls of heaven came
To travel landscapes bare and bleak
For those that only love would seek.

Compassion does not tire or sleep
But walks wherever suff'rers weep
Through ages past and still to come,
Until the world is gathered home
To rest at last where Mercy reigns
And heals all ills and stills all pains.
And there Compassion's walk will cease,
Where God is all, and all is peace.
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They're All Addicts, Aren't They?

Frequent is the case, we fail to see our own brokenness but are quick to see both the problems and the solutions of others. Talking about the homeless, it is common to hear from the more affluent . . . “Why don’t they go out and get a job like the rest of us?” or “They’re all addicts, aren’t they?” The Word of God cautions us to realize we are all sinners who are being forgiven a great debt. It is this receipt of mercy that should beget the giving of unlimited mercy to others.

Forgive your neighbor's injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Should a man nourish anger against his fellows and expect healing from the LORD? Should a man refuse mercy to his fellows, yet seek pardon for his own sins? If he who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins? Sirach 28:2-5

Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you? Matthew 18:33
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How can I make this Lent a time to hear the cry of the poor?

It all starts with desire and a few choices. If we recognize a desire to be more attentive to the poor and to grow in affection for and solidarity with them, then it is likely that this is a grace we have received. Many things may have happened to open us to this grace, but it is important to name it and welcome it. Perhaps God has been offering us this grace for some time and preparing us to receive it this Lent. If we don't feel this desire, we can ask for it. We can ask our Lord to help us grow in a desire to hear better the cry of those most in need.

Who are the poor? Who are most in need? Who are most pushed to the margins of neglect and powerlessness? It doesn't take a great social analysis to come up with some immediate answers in my own world and in the global situation today. Listening to the news - locally, nationally, globally - is a beginning. Who appears to be suffering? Who seems to be tremendously burdened? Not all the poor are in the news, but a sensitive scan of the news is a good place to start.
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And now, a short commercial announcement from the Word of God for the wealthy. . .

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share [with the poor]. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

“In the evening of our lives, we shall be judged only on love,” Saint John of the Cross. Wealth is useless on the day of wrath, but virtue saves from death. Proverbs 11:4

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We Pray for Brokenness

[Jesus said] "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Not as the world gives does God give satisfaction. It comes by taking up His yoke, the cross of forgiveness, charity and humility. In our own pride and arrogance we pray for brokenness:

R Lord, grant us the gift of your cross.

You put the needs of everyone here on earth before your own riches in glory: R

You put the needs of poor people - prostitutes, lepers and simple fishermen before your own reputation: R

You put the needs of the sick, mentally ill and demonized before your own privacy and relaxation: R

You put our need for life before your own: R

Then Jesus said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23
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