Encounter

Tonight I had that image of myself as "authority on justice" completely destroyed yet again. I began serving and participating in community meals for the homeless, hungry, rich, poor, black, brown, white, and most anyone who feels like eating something. I sat outside the church building and watched as a man with a rather large Jerry Garcia beard came slowly toward the church with a bag in his hand.

Something about this man possessed salvation. I decided to stand next to him in line. I did not talk to him at first because I'm an awkward person and didn't know how to start the conversation. "So, are you homeless?" just didn't seem like a great way to start the conversation and yet I couldn't come up with anything else to say. I'm a bit of a dunce when it comes to conversing with people.

Finally, I came up with a good enough opening line and tried it out. "Hey" I said, "What is your name?" Brilliant. Turns out his name was Fred, and mine was Dan, and before I knew it we were having a conversation. He was very warm and gracious towards me.

We sat and ate our pasta and talked...and sometimes didn't talk...and then talked again. Fred told me how he was laid off from his job dish washing at the local bar and hasn't been able to find work since. He is staying at some mission shelter run by some good hearted, well intentioned fundamentalists. He told me how he was filing to get unemployment, but that due to his previous employers shady dealings, he was having a difficult time getting his rightful share of the economic pie. I asked him if he was looking for work. He responded so earnestly, "Yeah I'm really trying. I haven't been hired yet, but I'll keep on trying."

I asked him what his dream job would be and he told me "dish washing." Who am I to feel sorry for him dreaming of dish washing? He said he would really like to have a chocolate factory, and this appeased my story driven mind for the moment.

And then it hit me. When I actually encounter these so called people that I am working to serve, I have nothing to say or offer. I know there is no reason Fred shouldn't be employed, except that he looks homeless, and indeed is homeless. All my concentrations on books, theories, theology, service, and poverty has caused me to overlook the very people I was hoping to serve. I had no answers for Fred. In my mind all I could think was that one day he would be a king in heaven and, Lord help me, I'll be his servant.

I pray for that kingdom come, not the one that requires the death of Muslims and Palestinians. Not the kingdom for the Crystal Cathedrals and war profiteers. Not the kingdom of the sword. But the upside down kingdom, where all the people who aren't supposed to be there are living in golden mansions, and all the people who are supposed to be there have to beg those we've forgotten, for grace and mercy.

Thats enough from me.