A man who won an enormous amount of money just a few years back, quit his job, and spent it extravagantly. Now he lives in a rented house, is unemployed, behind on his rent, and faces eviction. He was a millionaire last year and now he begs for help – how can this be?

“Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?”

Single mom with two teens, unemployed, panicked, and sobbing. The sheriff is coming tomorrow; it’s too late to pay the rent. She has no idea what to do. At this point, is there even a way that we can help?

“How many loaves do you have?”

A man who seems constantly underemployed. No matter what he does, it seems, he can’t catch up. If he doesn’t get laid off, he faces a family crisis or a health crisis. It’s always something new, but we have been helping with the rent for years.

“How long will I be with you? How long will I endure you?”

An older woman, with retirement income sufficient to pay rent, who chooses instead to live in her car, homeless. She is not interested in moving into a home but calls for help with other things from time to time.

“What do you want me to do for you?”

An older man who moved from homelessness to assisted living only because a health issue landed him in a hospital. If he would only sign the papers, his Social Security and Medicare would pay for him to stay there permanently. Instead, he wants to remain independent, living in a place he can’t afford, knowing he will likely be homeless again in a few months.

“What are you thinking in your hearts?”

She sits on a bench most of the time, except when she lies on the ground to sleep. Many people have offered help, and sometimes she will accept blankets, clothing, or food. She has a pension and could get into housing, but she gets angry when people offer to help with that. How can I help those who do not want my help?

“Do you love me?”

Contemplate

What does it mean to truly, as Bl Frédéric implores us, “do as our Lord Jesus Christ did”?

By Timothy Williams,
Senior Director of Formation & Leadership Development
Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA.