“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image and likeness … So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him … And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good” (Gen 2:26-31).
There are many lessons to be learned from the first book of the Bible. First and foremost, it was God Almighty who effortlessly created the heavens and the earth; and God created us in His image and likeness, for the purposes of knowing and loving Him.
Just days ago, I stopped to talk to two homeless men who have been sleeping under the bridges next to our office. They were up the embankment, sitting on a concrete wall where ornamental grass grows. They were surprised that I stopped to say hello, as most people walk, ride or run by without acknowledging their presence.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, they invited me to sit down. As we talked, they intermittently took sips from the tallboys they were drinking. It is hard to conceal a tallboy with a brown paper bag. This, of course, is one of the reasons they are homeless. The drive to drink is overwhelming for many.
Since it was getting late, I asked if they had anything to eat. They of course did not. I told them to hold tight as I went into our food pantry to see what we had available. I knew, of course, we always have sandwiches on hand. I soon returned with sandwiches and Gatorade. They were most grateful.
Then one looked me in the eye and asked, “When you see me, what do you think …. what do you see?” I replied, “I see Jesus.” I heard the other man say with a loud voice, somewhat surprised, “Thank you!” The man who asked the question described how he felt when people passed him by, something, as a paraphrase, ‘akin to a leper.’
“I love you guys,” I said, “Because God created you in His image and likeness. You both are sons of God the Most High!”
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s favorite scripture passage was Mt 25:31-46 when Jesus said, “As you did it to one of these least of my brethren, you did it to me.” One can read this over and over, but it becomes real when taking care of the poor and homeless day after day. There are other social service organizations in Lincoln, the country and the world, but Catholic-run charities are unique because we do what we do for Jesus Christ, period.
There are many lessons learned through the years. For example, when someone knows you love and respect them because of their inherent dignity of being a son or daughter of God, they start to trust you. It is then one can begin to tackle tough issues like substance abuse. It is easy giving someone a sandwich and a Gatorade, but it is harder helping someone by the grace of God overcome addictive behavior and escape homelessness. But of course, it does not end there but truly begins and ends in having faith in Jesus Christ, Who is the only Way, Truth and Life (Jn 14:6). St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!!
