tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206524469710613848.post6716651595252619920..comments2023-05-26T10:59:51.133-05:00Comments on Roman Catholic Cop: Interactions with the HomelessJamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00240082655213917664noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206524469710613848.post-20694610623366806792013-03-12T09:58:04.884-05:002013-03-12T09:58:04.884-05:00I think that a lot of people struggle as you menti...I think that a lot of people struggle as you mention. When you see someone out there begging and they seem mentally sound, and they are physically able to work etc it often times makes you feel less compassionate because you want to see them get up and give some effort just like we do when we get up and go to work, or pay our bills every month etc. Its not always something we enjoy but we do it and you see them standing there begging and taking what seems like an easy way out. <br /><br />I think though for me the thing I try to remember is that there is almost always some reason behind why someone is out there on the street. Very rarely is it just because they don't want to work etc. They always have a story and there is something in their life that is holding them back.<br /><br />I don't always feel obligated to stop for every person but when I do feel that tug I try and follow it as often as I can and hope that my compassion will move them to do something better for themselves, that maybe through my act the Holy Spirit uses that as an "in" to move this person to something greater.<br /><br />I will say as another person said I rarely if ever give anyone straight cash. Most of the homeless people I see are by the local WalMart where to major roads meet. There is a McDonald s nearby so often times I run and grab them a meal or something and bring it back. They haven't complained yet and I guess if they did I wouldn't care because I at least tried the rest is up to them.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15794871370929917820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206524469710613848.post-14349376716629556632013-01-05T03:28:42.099-06:002013-01-05T03:28:42.099-06:00If you cannot give without suspicion and contempt ... If you cannot give without suspicion and contempt then maybe you need to do some soul searching. Do you feel you are better than others...perhaps you are not not "Better" but simply "blessed" (There but for fortune...). Thank your God that YOU are not the homeless, not mentally ill, not the drug addicted, not the sick, not the poor and hungry..."ask not" as JFK said...and see what you can do to make life better for those less fortunate. Might be Jesus you give 20 bucks and a cupa coffee too. I had a cop in California save my life once by paying for two nights in a nice hotel and a meal at a coffee shop for me and my two young children...We were leaving a bad situation and the womens shelters were all full. It was out of his pocket. He said pay it to some one else when you can...that was 35 years ago. I never forgot his kindness...and I have helped many others.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206524469710613848.post-71528482654282142302012-12-30T10:43:16.552-06:002012-12-30T10:43:16.552-06:00Well said in both comments! God loves everyone and...Well said in both comments! God loves everyone and with arms open wants everyone to find salvation and comfort in Him. I find it's best for me to remember that every other human being is a real brother and sister, descended from Adam and Eve, whether lost or saved, and my heart longs to love them all unconditionally, and do what I can to act compassionately toward them. Sometimes a brother or sister can test that patient love, lol, but I try always to pray that God will bless them richly, whether it be softening their hearts so that they will welcome the message of the gospel, or growing stronger in the faith if already in communion with God.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206524469710613848.post-70022538057180517972012-12-25T09:38:04.733-06:002012-12-25T09:38:04.733-06:00I read later that the man put the sneakers away an...I read later that the man put the sneakers away and never wore them, because of the risk of theft or harm that would come to him if they were visible. sad. Lisa Ann Homic, M.Ed. D.C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17036345253758425065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206524469710613848.post-51892415881869205942012-12-07T22:19:54.533-06:002012-12-07T22:19:54.533-06:00I do what I think will benefit the most - for exam...I do what I think will benefit the most - for example, I never give money, but if I have food in the car, I will give that. I think this example of the police man giving this guy boots is a perfect example. Sure, he could sell the boots, but more than likely, he will wear them and that to me is justice, not charity, what we are truly called to.Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04738076740941616678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206524469710613848.post-33494961849964846502012-12-07T11:59:37.581-06:002012-12-07T11:59:37.581-06:00I believe there is a difference between loving the...I believe there is a difference between loving them compassionately and seeing them through eyes of truth. Even Jesus would ask people, do you want to be healed before He would heal them. I struggle with the same things for the same reasons you do. Where I live there is a large homeless population, because it is an accepted way of life in Portland and many people give them handouts. I choose to leave it up to the Spirit, if He moves me to compassion for someone then it is my job to act on, regardless the consequences. If He doesn't then I should not guilt myself.Arayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10476002905009544249noreply@blogger.com