In Plain Sight

The owner of a café near Bridge St has a remarkable heart for the poor and semi-homeless in the downtown of the city. She regularly feeds them, gratis, and leaves blankets and coats at the back door of her establishment. She knows them by name and treats them with respect. She really is a local hero.

Recently a patron scolded the café proprietor for the "air of poverty" the presence of these marginal folk create in her establishment. The owner responded that she is willing to lose business rather than treat people with disrespect.

It was unsettling that the critical woman was a member of a group of church people gathered at the café to plan an event. Later the woman returned with hats and mitts as a form of apology but the words were said. I know the owner has misgivings about organized religion, having once been very involved in a congregation. This incident sure wasn't going to allay those concerns. I was saddened to hear that it happened.

I find that chatting with the folk who come to our Inn from the Cold meal ministry reminds me that being poor isn't a sin. Most are friendly, willing to engage in conversation, and lots of them have a sense of humour. They are people, God's people, who for various reasons are poor. Some of those circumstances are of their own making, but often they are beyond their control. Whatever the reasons, they don't take away from their personhood.

Jesus always seemed to be able to see people for who they were and love them. I want to be more like Jesus, plains and simple.

God help us all in our prejudices and stereotypes.