Psalm Reflection: Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C)

“He who does justice, will live in the presence of the Lord.” - Psalm 15

This week I met Wilbur. He is a homeless man living on the beach who asked me if I knew where he could get some help and find a place to sleep. I think for most people, myself included, encountering a homeless person is often uncomfortable, even for most Christians. We make excuses that they will use money for drugs, or that “they make more money than we do on that corner,” and the list goes on as to why we might avoid the situation altogether. We explain away the MAIN focus of Jesus’ ministry after proclaiming salivation: to care for the poor and vulnerable. To CARE for them, not simply to help them or give them something, but to authentically care. So, when I met Wilbur, I could have responded a couple of different typical ways. I could’ve ignored him. I could’ve apologized, lied or come up with an excuse to go on with my day. I could’ve said yes and pointed him in the direction of the nearest shelter. But the problem with all of these is that I would have treated Wilbur as a task to be completed rather than a person in front of me. If we give people in need a pamphlet, a meal, a phone number or a resource, that does not mean we are doing a work of justice. To do justice authentically, as the Psalm says, will lead to us living in the presence of the Lord. So, I chose a different option. I chose to learn his name and have a conversation. Yes, I gave him some food and some resources, but I also gave him an opportunity to be seen and for him to see me. That is where God dwells.

Do you truly SEE every person you encounter? Or are you too busy, too tired, or too preoccupied to be present to them or to even look at them? Jesus lives in every single soul on this earth. So, how many times a day do you walk past Jesus and ignore Him out of a fear of being uncomfortable, or because you have too much to do? Pope Francis calls us to go to the margins. The margins of our society and also the margins of our comfort zones. But we don’t go to the margins to change the people there or give them things we think they need. We go to the margins so that they can change OUR hearts, and so our compassion can expand beyond our comfort zones to encounter Jesus in new places and people. 

This week, try not to miss a single soul God places in your path, because He wants to encounter you there. Don’t miss the chance to gaze into His face. We are praying for you this week.

See you in the Eucharist.