“Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.” – Mark 13:33
When I was a student at Marquette University in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I lived in a dormitory near a Walgreens. It was a far different setting than the rural dairy farm where I was raised. On the one hand, I had never before known the convenience of being able to walk across the street to get whatever I needed from a store. On the other hand, I had never before seen people on a daily basis who were in need, without homes and without jobs.
Of these many encounters, one in particular remains etched in my memory. In this specific instance, I happened to be shopping at that Walgreens, simply picking up a few basic items. I made my way through the aisles, eventually passing through the pharmacy section to see if vitamins were on sale. As I perused the countless selection of supplements, I couldn’t help but notice an older gentleman, in shabby clothing, speaking with the pharmacist. Overhearing their conversation, it became apparent that the man needed to have an important prescription filled, but he did not have enough money.
Growing visibly upset and desperate, the man began pleading with the pharmacist and begging other shoppers to help him out. Putting my hand in my pocket, I grasped my wallet with $20 cash in it. Duty called, but so did greed. I let go of my wallet, and turned away in fear, pretending that I had nothing to give.
As I stood sheepishly in the checkout line and then trudged out the door, guilt overwhelmed me. One thought began echoing in my mind: “THAT was JESUS. You were selfish, and you missed your chance. THAT was JESUS!” The words from our Lord in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 25:45 began to haunt me, “Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.”
This experience taught me the importance of being vigilant and ever ready to recognize Christ in each person who crosses my path, especially if that person is in need, because this is the basis upon which we will be judged when Christ the King returns in glory. So, as we begin this Advent Season, a time of preparation for the Second Coming, let us become more watchful and more willing to love Christ among us in the disguise of the poor.
O LORD, Helper of the lowly and strength of those bowed-down, let us see your face, and we shall be saved. Prepare our hearts to receive you when you come again. Prepare our hands to serve you when souls in need draw near. Prepare our tongues to praise you when your love for us is shown. Amen.
