Jesus, a true story

It is ironic that his name was Jesus

 He had no home

All that he had was gifted to him – clothing, food, a shed for shelter behind a car wash where he used to work when he was still able

a walker 

a dollar

a drink

We don’t know his full name – some say it is this and some say it is that

There is no record, no official documentation

We don’t know how old he is, he is just old

Yet we all know him. He is part of our community like the big oak tree in the square

It seems he’s always been here

We heard that he came here seeking a better life

That he has a daughter but she hasn’t been found

That he lost his sobriety some 20 years ago

The shed . . . it’s half burned now

Still it’s home and holds the remnants of his life in the ash

Today Jesus, isn’t there, he’s not in the shed

We can’t find him

the car wash owner hasn’t seen him in days

“We should have helped him . . .”

“We did help him!”

“How could we have helped him more?”

It is cold!

So cold

Jesus is cold in that half-burned shed that doesn’t really keep him dry anymore

Early in the morning, they find him

and he doesn’t respond

He is barely alive 

within a few days, he’s gone

They celebrated his life, held a funeral at the local Catholic Church and wrote about him in the small town newspaper. 

They tried to care for him, they tried to help

The youth group adopted him, bringing him food and a blanket

How could we help when he refused to come to the shelter?

He refused 

The conditions

The rules

The strings and expectations and loss of personal control 

Oh how the line of power lies on the edge of resources

So, here’s to you Jesus

I didn’t know you personally but you represent many

We owe you a debt that was not paid

May we at least pay it forward, though not with charity and gifts

Let us pay it forward by disrupting power in your name, by knocking over the tables of the money changers with our anger at injustice 

by disrupting supremacy in your name

Let us disrupt systems that say they are designed to help when in fact, they are really designed to hold those who haven’t showered on the outside while those who are clean get to come into the warmth

Let us pay our debt with respect and honor for the dignity of every person

Let it be so in your name, Jesus

– January 2024