Skip to main content

Under Bridges

“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

Matthew 25:45

This past week was a missions week at church.  To those who don't know, once a year my church brings in many of the missionaries that we support.  They share their struggles, triumphs, and plans.  It help bring home that what we do as a church matters.

I was reminded this week that I have changed.


I remember when I was young that I couldn't watch one of those "help the children" commercials without tearing up.  Now however, I found that in many instances I just didn't really care.  I would try to justify myself by saying that I am focusing on my families needs or that we already give financially, but really I have just hardened my heart.  I don't really pray for those I've committed to pray for as much as I should.  I don't really think about Valerine, the child we help support Ghana, too often.  I just choose to think about other things.  So what can I do to soften my heart?

Perhaps maybe if I remembered that "the least of these" are all around me...

I catch myself forgetting this all the time.  I forget it when I judge my pot smoking classmates and coworkers.  I forget it when I get annoyed at those with different views than I do.  I forget it when I choose to ignore the needy nearby and around the world.

I am leaving you today with the lyrics to a Brave Saint Saturn song.  I challenge myself, and by extension, you, to choose not to ignore those around us.  Unless we help each other, we don't really show our appreciation that God help us.

Yesterday while walking, 
Beneath an overpass, 
I saw the figure of Jesus, 
Standing barefoot on broken glass. 
His beard was graying, 
The smell of urine filled the air, 
Asking if I had some change, 
Anything that I could spare.

Emaciated, 
His shaking fists balled up, 
Influenza and pneumonia, 
Begging God to take his cup. 
So different from his pictures, 
Breathing air through yellowed tubes, 
Jesus Christ, dying of AIDS, 
Can look right through you.

And all have hated, 
Crucified and walked away, 
The Savior of the prostitutes, 
Drunkards, rapists, and the gays.

Under bridges, 
With hands raised, 
From the ghettos they praise his name. 
Broke and crippled in the dark of night, 
Raise your voices to Jesus Christ, 
Hallelujah.


Stay safe out there,
D. A. Acevedo
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Of course...

They say that writing is supposed to be therapeutic.  Today I found out that my brother is back in jail and I just needed to write my feelings.  I am not posting this for sympathy but maybe my words can help someone else who has someone they love who keeps making the same mistakes over and over again or maybe it will help the offender realize what they put their friends and family though when they don't change. D. A. Acevedo ***** I take a look at my phone and see an hour old text Call me as soon as you get this is all that it says Is Papi dead and has there been an accident These questions run though my head My finger shakes as I select dad’s name Of course… Your brother has been arrested He is back in jail I’m sorry I’m in a meeting I’ll call you when I am done My only reply is Of course… I am rather shocked that I don’t feel at all I expected some tears But he has acted odd Ever since his probation ended last month Something had been off Of cour...
2 comments
Read more

The Passion

Recently I wrote a letter of intent for school.   In it they wanted me to answer the simple question of why I want to become a nurse.  Writing that letter helped me put into words what I have struggled with my whole adult life; finding "the passion."  In books and movies and even on the news we see stories of people who find their calling and pursue it with the passion that burns within.  I've always looked up to those who know what they want and like a bloodhound tracking it's prey, they unerringly pursue it until the end. I've witnessed "the passion" first hand in my father.  He likes to tell the story that in an architecture class he heard God calling him into ministry.  He gave up his car and his hometown to go to another state to pursue his calling to become a minister.  Later, after being married for only three months he returned to Kentucky to finish his degree and enter seminary. Some of my first memories were of my Father teaching you...
3 comments
Read more

Helplessness blows

Helplessness is one of my most hated feelings.   We all want to feel like we have the power to effect the things around us, right?  One of the things I hate the most is when I know there is nothing I can do about a situation I am in. My wife Courtney and I had to deal with feelings of helplessness from January 2012 to September of 2012 This was the time we were preparing for and welcoming Seth, our youngest son. Seth's pregnancy was extremely difficult.  At seven weeks we went to the emergency room, thinking Courtney was having a miscarriage.  Then, beginning in the second trimester, we had to go to specialists two to three times a week because of abnormalities during the pregnancy.  He ended up being delivered early, and by the grace of God was healthy.  Then, when Seth was almost 2 months old he contracted RSV which made it difficult for him to breathe.    He had to spend several days in the Pediatric ICU to recover.  These were very ...
Post a Comment
Read more