Feeding, Being Fed

…if Jesus said “I was hungry and you fed me,” then Christ’s presence is not embodied in those

who feed the hungry (as important as that work is), but Christ’s presence is in the hungry being fed                                                                                                                       Nadia Bolz-Weber, Accidental Saints, p.47

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there they are

those who would shame the poor

who would call them lazy and wretched

moochers

trash

how dare they

how

dare

they

violate the way of Jesus

there we are

Pope Francis

and all those who would heed the call

to feed the hungry

clothe the naked

house the homeless

comfort the afflicted

ah yes

we are the ones

who the live the way of Christ

we are Christ’s hands and feed

well actually

we are not

no

we are simply those with the privilege

of greeting Jesus

as he comes

dirty

drunk

tweaking

smelly

homeless

yes that person

that one we feel so righteous serving

is Jesus

and it is our honor

to hold that wrinkled hand

to looking into those eyes

so filled with pain and hopelessness

and greet

the Christ

who comes

and comes again

in the least of these

it is Jesus

the same Jesus who knelt in the dust

and washed feet

and then asked his shocked followers

to washing his feet

that is the way it is with this one

who is in me

and you

and is in everyone we meet

this one who comes

to minister and be ministered to

yes, Jesus is in use as we  listen

and care

and as we try desperately to be real

but Christ is also in that one

we would look on with pity

Christ is in that one

looking out in love

reaching out

to touch the hunger

and pain

and loneliness

Jesus reaching out to touch

The parts of us that are poor

or blind

or crippled

Christ is there

Seeing use as we really are

(for those who are hurt see through all the bullshit better than anyone)

And yes,

Christ is there

seeing

and loving

and seeking to touch those who

would shame and exclude

yes them too

for Jesus does stuff

like

that