Saturday, April 7, 2007

Homeless Man DEAD

OUR HOMELESS FRIEND IS DEAD.

He decided it was time to return to his real home, which of course, was my imagination.

In drawing his composite I drew upon Our Lord at this time 2000 years ago.  I did it for a reason.  Read your responses, this is what you would've done for Our Lord.  A homeless, odd-looking, strange sounding man who no one wanted, who the authorities (the high priests) saw as a trouble-maker the moment he started his "babbling" (kingdoms with many mansions, I am that I am, turn the other cheek, love those who hate you, etc) the few people who followed and supported him (disciples) the many who did not (townspeople who wanted the Old Testament as it was, with no talk of a God who asks that we love our enemy) depending upon strangers for food (Jesus ate at a different home each night when invited) being arrested and coming before a judge (Pilate) who saw nothing wrong in being homeless and set him free, the fights that broke out over that deed (He's a traitor, take Him away, crucify Him).  Eventually I would've had Him appear before a judge more like Herod, and then have him sent off to a cruel death.  But that wasn't my purpose.  I wanted something very special, but it had to be genuine:  the reflection of God's own compassion shown in your words.  To me, it proved that one doesn't need to be Christian, Jew, Muslim or Buddhist to have sympathy, compassion and mercy for our fellow humans on this earth.     

Jesus was no ordinary preacher, no ordinary soul upon the earth trying to get a message out there.  Jesus endured all of it for one reason, to bring us news:  GOD LIVES!  My Father lives!  I am that I am, He said.  He exists so that He can.  How confused those people must've been.

And how incredibly fortunate am I to know people such as yourselves, each and every one of you who responded had only compassion and suggestions of help for what you saw as a fellow human in need.  LOOK AT YOUR RESPONSES FROM THE VERY START Is This Necessary? and each "Homeless Man Update" from there.  Every time something happened to "Him" you showed nothing but concern and a frustrating need to do something.

Back then, He was forced to walk "The Stations of the Cross" while being stoned, spat upon, lied about and ridiculed.  We all know the story.  One thing is clear, however, something I always believed and which YOU proved to be more true than not:  Many people died horrible, painful deaths in Our Lord's time.  Many died in far worse pain, more cruel and more bloody.  Imagine being drawn and quartered - both arms and legs tied to one of four horses who then are forced to run in separate directions.  Yes, Jesus endured horrors but my point is this:  What was His most painful torture?  What hurt most?  You helped me bring it out, as I've always thought it to be:  Notice how you all mostly spoke of the lack of compassion, how perhaps he had a mental disease and needed tender mercies...in my heart, I always felt the worst thing Our Lord had to feel was that lack of compassion, the utter rejection, the lies being told while He said nothing, couldn't defend Himself while in truth all He needed do was blink an Eye and the earth would've opened up.  It wasn't the cross, the whip, the crown of thorns, it was the people.  It was their betrayal, their rejection, leaving Him to the mob.  Their complete and obvious hatred and denial of Him.  Even His best friends ran away.  To be rejected and left alone and hurt is a crushing agony.  He endured it for me.  For you.  I'm so proud of all of you who kept up with my story with such overflowing mercy.  You couldn't seem to say enough.  You even wanted to go to this "town" and leave packages for him in jail. You are a reflection of the love He has for us.  

Here's one other little detail, a lessen in patience and friendship:  Early on in this story, a dear, long-time friend of mine, TreesRGreen78, felt a familiar tug at her heart.  She wrote me to say she recognized how similar this homeless man's story seemed to the story of Jesus.  I had to ask her to stay silent and not divulge my true meaning.  Trees, in her belief in me and to her credit, had to bite her nails and say nothing.  While I don't want to go too far, it's not much different from how Jesus was forced to say nothing as well.  

He couldn't tell Pilate who He really was, they thought Him insane enough already.  Pilate looked at Him and thought, this isn't important enough a matter for me.  Herod did not.  Herod wanted to use Him as entertainment for his court, which he did as he had Our Lord's precious body scored and bloodied, draped with a "royal" cloak and given a proper "crown" as the King He was.  All for the amusement of the crowd - they demanded it.  Just like this "town" demanded the authorities take the "dirty bum" away from their eyes.  Just be rid of him, he's not one of us, he's causing trouble, he's not our type, we work hard to live in this kind of luxury, neighbors are fighting amongst themselves and worst of all, he has the NERVE to talk to our children!  We can't have that!  In that one aspect, they weren't wrong, in their way.     

I know things are different today and real predators exist waiting only for that chance to grab one of our most precious babes.  I've no doubt whatever that such people existed 2000 years ago as well.  Then I remember the accounts of how Jesus acted when children would follow Him.  Children are always interested in what adults get riled up about, so they would follow Our Lord and pull at his robes, asking for stories and perhaps a small bit of attention.  Children.  Innocent, pure, in need of the loving smile of an adult - they got it from Our Lord, who took them on His knee and smiled into their faces with such love, such care, such genuine respect for these blameless ones.

So what does it all mean?  That we're good people?  That we care about the unseen, forgotten, rejected hungry souls out there?  If you think that isn't important enough to go to all this trouble over, I'll remind you that those who bothered to read and respond to this story were anxious to be heard, to tell their own stories, to show mercy for the homeless, the helpless, the alone.  Those who felt otherwise didn't bother to comment.  I know there are people who feel the homeless are a nuisance, they're useless people giving nothing back to the community, they have nothing to contribute and everything to take.  Those are the ones who need our prayersYour loving friend doesn't need them, it's your unloving enemy who does.  It's the person too cowardly to express their true feelings in print.  But they exist, I talk to them every day, so do you.  "Why don't they learn English, how did they get into this country, look at them all on welfare, crowding our jails" and on and on ...

If you saw Jesus in this story, I ask that tomorrow, the holiest day in the Christian faith, a day to celebrate rebirth and the triumph of life over death, of love over hate, to please pray for those who have no faith.  Pray for those who reject you, who leave you to the mob, who lie about you, who mock and betray you.  Pray for those who judge you.  Most of all, do it with the same genuine compassion and care and love shown in your comments about that one, solitary Man.   

   

          

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am sorry that this happened to the homeless man. You did a great job of tying all this up to compare and tie it in with  the Easter story. God bless you. Helen

Anonymous said...

Very strong story, Cathy. Excellent!

Anonymous said...

It is good to be reminded to be kind because you just never know if that person is an angel sent from above to test us.  Even if it is not an angel, we need to remember what is the right thing to do.  So often we walk right by those in need.  Case in point, on another blog, the author was sharing how her mother was at a hospital facility and was crying and no one even stopped to ask her if they could help.  She was in pain because of the duration of her walk.  She was in need of a wheel chair.  I know many probably hesitate to ask if the person needs help because of that thing sporting on their wrist (watch) or because they are afraid they don't want to interfere in a private matter.  Well what is the worst that can happen?  You're late? Or, you they tell you they are not interested in receiving your help.  I think all of us learned something from your story, Cathy.  Thanks for reminding me to give more and look past the obvious.

Anonymous said...

I cried while reading this entry, remembering all that Jesus, my dearest Friend, has done for me, and for all of mankind. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for your creating this story, and for posting todays entry, which to me, is one of your best. Christ suffered much, but I do believe, with all my heart, that what hurt him the most was mankinds indifference. It is so today.
Happy Easter, dear one. Thank you so much for reminding all of us of what really matters.
God bless you,
Barb- http://journals.aol.com/barbpinion/FROMBARBSSPIRITUALJOURNALS
        http://journals.aol.com/barbpinion/HEYLETSTALK

Anonymous said...

He is now in a place that welcomes him with open arms and does not dicriminate.
What a great entry!

Anonymous said...

Cathy 2 swpgrly & helen:  Thank you, but understand HE NEVER EXISTED, I MADE HIM UP to make a point, please read this again, you may've missed a few important things.  HE NEVER EXISTED.  

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness Cathy!!  Good job, well done!  I didn't see the connection to Jesus.  I guess I should have.  
Pam

Anonymous said...

Hi my friend, Happy Easter.  I have read this last entry many times today and wondered how I would comment.  For you to equate Easter with a Homeless man and this snooty town was brilliant.  Through your writings you have brought to those of us who read your entries, the true meaning of Easter right from the very beginning of how it really was.  Your writing, I feel on all accounts no matter what you write about is brilliant.  For me before I actually knew it was Jesus you were speaking of, I really wanted to go to that town and help that man very much so.  So you showed me that if I had lived in Jesus's time, I would have stood by him and thank you for that, that is so very enligtening to know.  We meet many people in this world some not so good, some we wont remember and some who always forever become your friend and make a difference in your life.  You have made a difference in my life my dear friend.  Your story of the homeless man, showed those who read it many different things and emotions.  It showed me for one that I will always trust in God and always stand up for my beliefs and even if they are not the norm, I will stand by those who may be ridiculed for some reason or another and be hanged what others think.  Again, Luddie thank you for thinking of how to bring the true meaning of Easter to those of us who read your entries, it was absolutely wonderful to read these.  Easter for me, because of you has become ever more important than even before.  God bless and Happy Easter to you.  I think honestly, that this would have made a very intresting story in a newspaper it would have reached many.  

Anonymous said...

Ooops forgot to write the last sentence from my comment.  The homeless man may have died but he will rise again to watch over us all.  God bless everyone, Happy Easter.

Anonymous said...

An excellent creative idea!!  Many similarities in the two.  I was late coming to the homeless man entries.  I remember when you posted he said they needed him, I wondered if something was afoot, or if he might in deed be an angel.  And I lay there just last night when I was going to bed, contemplating my Lord as the Suffering Servant Isahiah describes.  Thinking how repulsive he must of seemed by the time they hung him on that tree.  -  Have a blessed Easter and thanks for stirring up some thinking!  -  Barbara

Anonymous said...

Oh wow... You are good... really good.  A wonderful way to remind us of the reason for this season!!!!  Thank you... I was thinking yesterday... if this was my town, I would go there today, bring him something... great lesson.

be well,
Dawn

Anonymous said...

Dear Cathy, I just telephoned my sister to tell her that I was sending her the link to this entry.  I've been updating her about the homeless man and expressing to her my frustration that I could do nothing to help him.  Your entries about this man's plight really affected me and I was saddened by the lack of compassion that the most of the town failed to show towards him. I feel humbled and grateful for what you did in writing about your homeless man. You touched me spiritually with his story. I feel a deeper understanding of the suffering that Christ submitted to for us and I feel that I have gained a deeper appreciate for his sacrifice. Thank you--Sheria
http://journals.aol.com/aimer/on-my-mind

Anonymous said...

very sad

Anonymous said...

Sadly, I did not follow the entries of the "Homeless Man".  I feel I am not in a position to comment on what I would have thought, said or done on his behalf.  However, I feel able to comment on your creativity, Cathy.  To create a "Homeless Man" in your imagination and make him a real person to your readers is just a touch of genious on YOUR part. I did read your last entry about him, however, and I realized how much his path seemed to entertwine with that of the path that Jesus traveled and how you led your readers toward this man's ending - as Jesus was led on the cross to His ending.  You simply amaze me - your words have always spoke volumns to me.  I just have a sneaking feeling that the "Homeless Man" will be resurrected again, but disguised by your imagination, so that we will be led on another path not realizing where we are going or if this character is real. Surprise me!!!  
You are so gifted -
Gem

Anonymous said...

Awesome!  Very awesome indeed Cindy.  Thank you for a great tribute to our Lord.
Sharon / Coastal Comfort

Anonymous said...

Oh what a wonderful wonderful person you are Cathy. You stayed with it and pulled it off. That must rank up there with the best blog story ever told. Second only to the greatest one told about the life and death of a Special Man.

You left so many clues yet we were blinded by our sense of compassion. It is a great credit to you that you spread the tale of the unwanted homeless man, a story that most of us thought we had heard before, yet in light of his demise, you tell the story of that fateful day 2,000 years ago when we had no compassion or diligence for His unwanted gift to us.

May He always guide you in the path of His righteousness, give you peace and make you accept His promise of life eternal.

Happy Easter my friend!

Anonymous said...

wonderful enrty.

Anonymous said...

I am almost speachless; what an extraordinary piece of writing this is that shows your knowledge and deep understanding of our Lord Jesus. I didn't have a chance to even read where you were making entriies about the homeless. That was quite an experiment; I'm glad the results seemed to prove that most people had compassion. But, as I think you mentioned, those that didn't wouldn't comment nor maybe read it in the first place. I really like how you said they were among the ones we need to pray for. I encourage you to write Christian editors and try to get this published! God Bless you richly~Deb

http://journals.aol.com/sassydee50/sassysWORD

Anonymous said...

Cathy,
Very thoght provoking entry. Good job!
Merry