dagblog - Comments for " “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame."

Things might be more complex

ocean-kat — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 23:12:20 +0000

In reply to “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.

Things might be more complex than this story implies. This congregation might have a huge outreach program for the poor. There might be free meals every day, food banks, etc. Churches serve many functions, service to the poor is just one, perhaps the most important but still just one. If there were other programs to serve the poor begging at church services might be legitimately discouraged.

I spent 8 months in Mexico and one thing my Mexican friends told me was never give any money to people begging when you're eating in an outdoor restaurant. I came to see the wisdom in that advice and had to harden my heart. So I can see a possible justification for the member's behavior at the church service.

Added: As I pondered this post I remembered. Some years ago I used to take my dog to the church of St. Francis for free health care. They also ran a lunch and dinner program for the poor. During the times they offered these free services out the back entrance the other portions of the church were closed.

The thing is that it would

rmrd0000 — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 21:36:49 +0000

In reply to Well, that certainly is a

The thing is that it would not be a stretch to learn that the story was true. Churches do not have the best reputation these days. Stereotyping is easy.

OTOH, Gandalf did a great

jollyroger — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 19:56:42 +0000

In reply to This story is most likely

OTOH, Gandalf did a great tramp, n'est-ce pas?

Well, that certainly is a

jollyroger — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 19:55:48 +0000

In reply to This story is most likely

Well, that certainly is a buzzkill...(!)(edit to add) I had been admiring how authentically down and out the "pastor" had managed to look...

This story is most likely

rmrd0000 — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 15:40:52 +0000

In reply to “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.

This story is most likely untrue according to snopes The phot is actually of a homeless man in London. A Tennessee pastor did go undercover as a homeless man it his year.He did find church people who offered aid. He also found help on the streets from passersby and other homeless people.

(No subject)

artappraiser — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 07:38:34 +0000

In reply to See, also...

See, also...

jollyroger — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 04:02:41 +0000

In reply to “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.

See, also...