(By Colonel Denny Phillips) – A story is told — probably apocryphal — that a man walking in Times Square was approached by an indigent soul begging money. The man was not a New Yorker, and he was inclined to help, but he wasn’t carrying any cash on him, so he placed his hand on the man’s shoulder and looked him square in the eyes as he said, “I’m very sorry, brother, but I truly do not have anything to give you right now.” The beggar paused, feeling the warmth of the man’s hand on his shoulder and sensing the dignity of the passionate look in his eyes as he spoke. Placing his soiled hand on the manicured one now resting on his shoulder, he returned the intense look straight into the eyes of this passer-by who had stepped away from the crush of the Times Square crowd to spend a few seconds…to speak to and actually touch this man in ragged clothes…this man that thousands of others deemed untouchable, and said to him, “You’ve already given me something far more important than money, for you called me your brother, and I’ll never forget you.” With that, the beggar straightened his shoulders and brushed his coat as he strutted away feeling validated by another human being.
Social justice means more than providing for the poor. In The Salvation Army, we deliver human services in the name of Christ, but we must also do so in the spirit of Christ. We must engage the poor with love and respect, kindness and dignity, see beyond the crust of soiled clothes and dirty skin. Overlook awkward, even hostile behavior. Would any of us behave any better if we were homeless, hungry, cold and lonely?
Beware, for behind the unshaven face, the dirt engrained skin and the ragged clothes, Jesus may be checking us out. Did He not as much as say so? Oh yes, when His disciples badgered Him about “What is the kingdom like?”, “Who gets into the Kingdom”, Jesus finally answered and said, “Come, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you, for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you brought me water to drink; naked, and you clothed me; in prison and you visited me; sick, and you took care of me.” Then He concluded His startling answer with, “Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.”
General John Gowans summed it up well:
You came disguised, but still, I know it’s You.
Today your eyes be black, tomorrow blue.
Your skin is sometimes yellow, sometimes brown;
At times you wear a loin cloth, today a tattered gown.
Your bony hand is held before your face,
But I’d know you, my Lord, in any case,
Grinning at me through leprous eaten jaws.
The broken limbs….the bloated belly…yours.
You bring these changes, Lord
And yet I know
That every soul in need
Is really YOU.
Social justice begins in the heart. Love thy neighbor.