Love Does Not Compare
"Christian/Catholic Worker Gone Bad!"
"Loss is the extraordinary rent we pay for living" Annie Dillard
"Love Does Not Compare!
Luke 11:41:
"But give from your heart to those in need, and then everything will be clean for you."
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As the days go by I remember the ending to "Goodbye Mr. Chips", as he sits in a chair on the edge of the campus of boys where he taught for many years, wrapped in his blanket, reflecting on his long life of service. Through those years he experienced the tragedy of his wife being killed in a bomb raid—the death of a number of his boys. I see myself in his person, and I know that soon, hopefully in years I will be there as well, or I will die, satisfied, and happy for doing the work assigned to me by Christ!
I keep up my hope, beyond political parties and candidates by focusing on my commitment as summarised in words of Fr. Henri Nouwen on:
The Great Event of Salvation
To live a life in the memory of Jesus Christ means first of all that that memory is a healing memory. How does the memory of Jesus Christ heal? The memory of Jesus Christ heals because it lifts up our small life and brings it in connection with a much larger event. As Christians, we are participating in a memory that goes far, far back to that great moment when God himself entered into history and shared the human condition. When our little history can be connected with the great history of salvation a tremendous change starts taking place because our little pains and our little joys are no longer just little pains and little joys but they point beyond themselves . . . to a great event of salvation of which we have become a part. . . . Our lives can be healed by the memory of the incarnation and the story of salvation. Amen!
Through that healing memory, I read the words provided by Ms. Evangelina Montesano:
"Not true?
That I am invisible.?
That I disappear into thin air when you take my blankets, my food?
and everything I own.?
Not true?
That I don't want to come inside?
If inside wanted me, I would go.?
Offer me more than what I have Offer me dignified housing?
Offer me a home without an end date?
A home that does not take every dollar I make And I would go?
Not true?
That I want to live in squalor.?
That I want to live without water or a bathroom Without hot food, without safety?
In fear and uncertainty?
Not true?
That I steal,?
That I steal profits from businesses and property values from owners?
Not true?
That I want charity?
more than the right to live free From harassment, from judgment from shame?
What's true?
Is that some cannot see me As their neighbor, their friend, Valuable, capable, worthy Of existing by them.?
More true?
Is that some, maybe you cannot see me at all
And I continue to walk with those unseen and call out their names because the reality is
Comparisons stop making sense when I love my neighbor as I love myself, and in the words of the Man himself"But give from your heart to those in need, and then everything will be clean for you.": Deo Gratias! Thanks be to God!
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Amen."
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May the work of
“figuring people out”
领英推荐
Never replace the work of knowing people
And loving people
And giving them room
To confound
And inspire
And surprise me
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30th Anniversary Celebration
Victor’s Pizza
6 p.m.
November 9, 2024
WE ARE BEGGARS! WE REALLY NEED MONEY--Really Badly At the moment!
FOR FOOD, SOCKS, HARM REDUCTION AND OTHER SERVICES!
P.O. Box 642656
415-305-2124
pay pal
(Temenos and Dr. River seek to remain accessible to everyone. We do not endorse particular causes, political parties, or candidates, or take part in public controversies, whether religious, political or social--Our pastoral ministry is to everyone!
Homeless People Are Made In God's Image!
Come Join us in Protest Against the Cruelty of the City of San Francisco!
Wednesday, October 18, 2024
Noon.
Polk side of City Hall
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Temenos Catholic Worker
P.O. Box 642656
San Francisco, CA 94164
Dr. River Damien Carlos Sims, D.Min, D.S.T.
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