Look Him in the Eye

How often do you walk by someone who is homeless or in need, asking for change on the street? This is often more common in larger cities, but even where I live in a college town, there are many homeless men and women asking for aid on street corners.

I’ve even encountered homeless individuals in my hometown, an upper middle class area.

I remember coming out of my home parish with my family and seeing a mother with her young son standing in the church parking lot with a sign asking for help. The usual post-Mass chatter was hushed as the crowd passed her by, uncomfortable by their presence.

So, you may or may not see the homeless where you live. If you do, do you see the same people often?

Maybe you occasionally give them a buck or two…but when you don’t, do you avoid eye contact? Do you avoid them all together?

I know what it’s like for me. I have an inner desire to help others, but a societal attitude that’s been ingrained in me since childhood. Where does my responsibility to help begin and end? I feel guilty when I don’t or can’t help; is this warranted? Am I encouraging panhandling rather than work for a paycheck?

The above are just a few of the thoughts that have run through my head, many of which make me ashamed.

After all, I call myself a Christian. I follow and believe in a God who walked on the Earth simply to love those who society rejected and shamed. How can I sit comfortably in my spacious apartment, with nary a need unmet, and ignore those who are placed in my path on a regular basis?

But how can I help? What do I have to give?

Perhaps you’ve thought this as well. I won’t claim to have all of the answers, but I do know one thing: every human being needs and desires to be acknowledged and loved.

So maybe you can’t give a dollar to every homeless person you encounter, but maybe there’s something you have to give that means more than your pocket change.

Maybe try looking them in the eye and saying hello. How often are our brothers and sisters, struggling to survive on the streets, met with something other than a cold shoulder and downcast look? Imagine what it’s like to have someone you don’t know just smile at you and say “hi”. No matter who you are, or the struggles you’re facing, this shared humanity speaks volumes.

So I encourage you, look him in the eye. Acknowledge his existence. Say hello. Ask him how he’s doing today. If you have change to spare, do with it what you will. But at the very least, treat him like the child of God that he or she is.

Attempt to see He who died for your transgressions in every person you encounter, especially those who are rarely treated with any amount of genuine kindness.

Don’t do it because you’re a Christian, or because our Pope regularly preaches social justice.

Do it because they’re human and Jesus died for them, too. Love them as He has loved you.

Morgan McFarlin

Morgan McFarlin

Morgan McFarlin is a young, single lady attempting to live God's plan for her life to the fullest. A life-long Illinoisan, Morgan serves full-time with Students for Life of Illinois. She is passionate about building relationships, loving God, life, and strong coffee. Co-founder of the Not Alone Series, her musings can also be found at Follow and Believe.

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4 thoughts on “Look Him in the Eye”

  1. Pingback: THURSDAY MORNING EDITION - Big Pulpit

  2. I try to keep fruit or granola bars in my truck so I can at least give them something to eat.

    In my city, though, there are now professional beggars at every traffic signal. They have very well-written signs on cardboard, but you can tell the handwriting is impeccable. There is a ringleader who gets them all to beg and then has some arrangement where the beggar trades in the money collected for (assumedly) drugs.

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