Observing a homeless man at mass

[whatevergirl]

Hi,…I’m a newbie of this forum…To this day, I no longer fear risks because I know my Source and Supply. Some may call my life experience positive, others may choose to call it negative. Regardless of the label, however, all I can say is, Thank God I was homeless.

www.thankgodforebooks.com/homeless.html

I would like to hear your story, if you wouldn’t mind sharing…You don’t have to give details, but just curious as to what your homeless experience taught you in life, and about God?

 

[Malkin71]

It is one interpetation, about baptism, but we do take the message of Jesus in light to whom he was speaking.

As far as behavior, Jesus ate with sinners as a prelude to the kingdom of God. This man is part of that Kingdom.

Peace,
FAB

True, Our Lord did eat with sinners. He also told them to avoid sinning too. Also, Our Lord has the power to cure and heal the sick. Do we have that power?

 

[Malkin71]

When Jesus asked us to help the poor, what do we presume poor ‘looks’ like? Clean shaven and always polite? Longterm homeless people are often drug addicts and alcoholics (stats show), that doesn’t mean we dismiss them. This man sounds like he is not ‘all there,’ and it saddens me that so many here judge him based on his conduct and looks. If it were a random person, dressed nicely, walking in and chewing on chips, and drinking coke, and running up to receive Communion, and was just pulling a prank, I would be outraged. But, a homeless man, who sounds completely out of it, I don’t share the same outrage and disdain as some of you, sorry.

I don’t mean to sound…whatever…but, I just think that when Jesus asked us to take care of the poor, he didn’t mean only “our version” of poor.

Here in Pittsburgh, at St. Mary’s of the Point in Downtown Pittsburgh a sign is on the doors as you walk in. It asks you not to give to the panhandlers asking for money. Because, it encourages their bad habits. They help the homeless by giving them a meal, clothing or help to get a place to stay. The Priest’s instruct the Homeless not to panhandle the public.

They have envelopes that ask where do you want your money to go to; to help the homeless, to the needs of the church, clothing, etc… This is the way to go in my opinion. The homeless are being helped and the parishinors are helping the homeless.

 

[Malkin71]

I think it would help to look at the situation more objectively rather than through the subjective eye of “homelessness”…remember, while we should not hate the sinner, we should hate the sin. If this person had been a rich person sitting in the back of the Church, eating chips and drinking soda…and rushed up to receive Holy Communion…what would your reaction be? If a friend of yours was in serious public sin, would you talk to them about the proper disposition for receiving communion? In any of these situations, we don’t deny that we are all sinners, but if the person were NOT CATHOLIC…would you want the Blessed Sacrament to be profaned and desecrated?

I know I would tell the priest about my concerns. Correct, we never know the disposition of someone’s heart…but personally, I would rather error on the side of caution, and tell the priest.

Is there a fasting rule before we receive our Lord at Holy Communion? Should you know to be quiet during Mass? Isn’t rude and disrespectful to drink and eat during Mass? If there is a medical condition; shouldn’t you get up and go outside for the respect of the fellow laity? This is similar if you are in a library when people are trying to study, somebody is talking and the liberian goes over and asks them to keep it quiet.
It is the same thing at Mass please have respect for the Lord.

 

[Malkin71]

and Jesus probully was smiling down from above the whole time.
He Might have even sent this person to test you guys. who knows.

Very well maybe. Our Lord did say that the poor will always be here. What is a better way to help this person. Give them money or steer them to a shelter so that they will get help?

A true story. When I was walking home from work over ten years ago A man came up to me and gave me a story about how his car was in a shop, and he needed money for a bus. So I reached in my pocket and gave him a dollar. After he saw that I had money he pushed me on the shoulder and asked me for more? I gave him a dollar and left. The next Month I saw the same guy and he gave me the same exact story. I told him NO!

Last year a person was collecting scrap from the rivers to make money that I talk to. He came up my way to pick up some metal. I came home and he asked me to lend him $20.00 I said that I have to walk to the atm machine to get it, when I was putting in the amount he asked me to get out and extra $20.00 so his wife can get pizza because she was hungry. So I did. He said that he would pay me back on Friday. Guess what he came the next day to ask for more money and he would pay me back. He did not. He came to my house this past January and said he got hurt etc… He will get me my money. Guess what It is May and he still did not give my money back.; He also coned my neighbor out of money as well. He is still around though.

Her is another true story. When my Mom work for the school cafeteria. One day she went outside for some fresh air. She saw a homeless man knocking on the Parish rectory door. Mom mention that the Priest is saying Mass and she could try to help. He said that he is homeless and hungry. He wants to see if Fr. can give him money so he can get something to eat. She said come on down. There is a cafeteria down below and I will make a meal for you to eat FOR FREE!. He said “NO” and walked away.

Here are two true events of many why I rather give to Church organizations to help the homeless than risk giving to them myself.

 

[whatevergirl]

Here in Pittsburgh, at St. Mary’s of the Point in Downtown Pittsburgh a sign is on the doors as you walk in. It asks you not to give to the panhandlers asking for money. Because, it encourages their bad habits. They help the homeless by giving them a meal, clothing or help to get a place to stay. The Priest’s instruct the Homeless not to panhandle the public.

They have envelopes that ask where do you want your money to go to; to help the homeless, to the needs of the church, clothing, etc… This is the way to go in my opinion. The homeless are being helped and the parishinors are helping the homeless.

*I don’t remember that…I actually worked across the street (sort of, one of the Gateway buildings) from St Mary’s for years, before moving to Florida in 07–and went to that church during Lent…I really miss that parish–small world. I don’t recall that sign though…recall a lot of traffic going by that parish though, so maybe I wasn’t paying attention. *

 

[Malkin71]

*I don’t remember that…I actually worked across the street (sort of, one of the Gateway buildings) from St Mary’s for years, before moving to Florida in 07–and went to that church during Lent…I really miss that parish–small world. I don’t recall that sign though…recall a lot of traffic going by that parish though, so maybe I wasn’t paying attention. *

I saw it on this past Holy Thursday night, when I was visiting the church for the 7 church walk\visit. It is a paper sign that is posted on the door.