WELCOME THE STRANGER
One day St Francis was with his friend, a leader of men and women who were followers of St Francis. These two men were approaching a fork in the Highway of Life. As they turned west they came upon a very messy, disheveled and hungry man lying there on the side of the Highway of Life. St Francis stopped and asked this homeless and hungry man if he wanted to join them and to walk humbly along this ancient Highway of Life. The homeless man smiled and said Absolutely! Can I really travel with you two. St Francis said Of course, come along.
Suddenly St Francis’ friend spoke up and said to St Francis, “St Francis, you cannot simply invite this vagabond along with us. He has three forms to fill out. And he has interviews to pursue. We do not know where he has been in life, if he even believes in Christ, or whether this homeless man has confessed his recent sins.
Finally, St Francis asked the man, “ What do you believe?” The younger homeless man told St Francis and his friend, “that he had grown up the son of a carpenter but was to become a servant unto the least among us. And that, he got caught up in public persecution and was uncertain what to do.” Again this friend of St Francis told the poor homeless man that he had to follow their application rules, submit supportive documents and provide three letters of recommendation. Then St Francis smiled at his close friend.
Looking into the eyes of his poor homeless brother, St Francis said the following words regarding the Faith and the much needed rebuilding and renewal of the kingdom of God, “My friend you claim to be a faithful and practicing disciple of Christ! How can this be?!” This poor homeless man looked straight at St Francis and his accomplice, and told both of them, “I am Who Am right here in your midst!” St Francis knew that he was in the presence of Christ. He immediately smiled at our Lord.
You and I, like St Francis and his fellow disciple of Christ need to realize that there on the Highway of Life is indeed our Savior Jesus Christ. Our Lord invites you, me and all to draw near and to humbly come face to face with Christ. Christ very often comes in the image and likeness of the poor and suffering. St. Francis smiled at his faithful friend. Then St Francis reached out to hold the blessed hands of this poor stranger in his midst; and with his other hand to touch the face of Christ.
Always know that in our ancient Faith we have been led by men who recognized Christ amid the poor. Go gently into the world and teach and preach. The Highway of Life will always be a real crazy mess. Always be humbled to see the face of Christ when you are looking into the eyes of the poor. AMEN.