Christ listened

"ARE YOU OPEN TO BEING A PASTOR TO THE POOR WITHOUT RESCUING THEM OR JUDGING THEM?...EAT WITH THE POOR....WHATEVER DAY YOU HAVE TIME TO STAY AND EAT WITH ME.....NO GREATER PRACTICE OF TRUE COMMUNITY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT THAN EATING TOGETHER....POOR AND HOMELESS ARE USED TO STANDING IN FOOD LINES; WHAT THEY AREN'T USED TO IS RECEIVING FROM PEOPLE WHO WANT TO KNOW THEM.....THE GOSPEL IS ABOUT BREAKING BREAD TOGETHER." These are quotes from "Circuit Rider" 2007 issue. It is a lot easier to stand behind a table and dish out food to homeless persons without looking them in the eye or having a conversation with them. I know because when I served at St John in Augusta we participated each week in serving meals to homeless or low income persons. One of the great blessings of Christ is God coming to us personally, looking us in the face, listening to our stories, sitting at the table with us. Prior to our Christ experience we might have perceived God as distant, unapproachable, out yonder in heaven. In Christ God is present, intimate, love in person. Finally, as we live our lives in relationship with Holy Spirit we are able be Christ present persons with others.