Monday, May 8, 2000

The Homeless Man at Christmas

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

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The Homeless Man at Christmas

 

 It was a cold winter's day that Sunday near Christmas.  The parking lot to the church was filling up quickly.  I noticed as I got out of my car that fellow church members were whispering among themselves as they walked to the church. 

As I got closer I saw a man leaned up against the wall outside the church.  He was almost laying down as if he was asleep.  He had on a long trench coat that was almost in shreds and a hat topped his head, pulled down so you could not see his face.  He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too small for his feet with holes all over them, his toes stuck out. 

I assumed this man was homeless, and asleep, so I walked on by through the doors of the church.  We all gathered for fellowship for a few minutes, and someone brought up the man laying outside.  People snickered and gossiped but no one bothered to ask him to come in, including me.

A few moments later church began.  We all waited for the Preacher to take his place and to give us the Word, when the doors to the church opened.  In came the homeless man walking down the aisle with his head down. 

People gasped and whispered and made faces.  He made his way down the aisle and up onto the pulpit.  He took off his hat and coat.  My heart sank.  There stood our preacher...  he was the "homeless man."  No one said a word.  The preacher took his Bible and laid it on the stand. 

"Folks, I don't think I have to tell you what I am preaching about today." Then he started singing the words to this song.  "If I can help somebody as I pass along...  If I can cheer somebody with a word or song...  If I can show somebody that he's traveling wrong...  Then my living shall not be in vain."

 

Justice   --- When you get what you deserve….

Mercy   --- When you don't get what you deserve….

Grace   --- When you get what you don't deserve….


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In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

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© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

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