The New Homeless

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.-Luke 12:48b


The face of the homeless has changed.  We once equated homelessness with the chronically unemployed, alcoholics, drug addicts. 15-20 years ago, experts started warning us that most of us were only a paycheck or two away from losing our homes.  It has come to pass.  People are losing their homes and with this terrible economy, their families are at a loss to help them.  Sunday night "60 Minutes" did a story on the plight of the homeless in Florida.  It was a real eye-opener.  I hope you will take the time to watch it.   It shows the face of the "new homeless."  http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7389750n&tag=contentBody%3BstoryMediaBox


Most of us really have no idea how things have gotten for even people who have worked hard all their lives to provide for themselves and their families.  Most of us really have no idea how incredibly blessed we are to have a warm place to sleep at night and a roof over our heads.


One of the members of Holy Cross has been very busy over the last couple of months making "Jesus stockings."  She sells them and gives a portion of the proceeds to charity.  The idea behind them is to hang the stocking during Advent and have your family add money to it all season long.  After Christmas, decide on a charity to give the money to and send it to them.


The need this year in the world, in our own country and even in our very own backyards is greater than I've ever known it to be.  And it's not just people who are chronically unemployed or people with addictions or those who have learned to "work the system"  (although we need to help all these as well).  There are young families out there that had dreams of a nice home and a good education for their kids and those dreams have been dashed by a sudden turn of events.


Whether or not the homeless is your choice, I hope you will give the idea of a Jesus stocking a try this year.  You don't have to have one especially made (though Cathy's are beautiful)... it can even be a jar or a bowl.  The need is so great... and remember... to those to whom much has been given, much is expected.


Lord Jesus,
Give us compassionate, loving hearts that make us desire to share our abundance with those who have so little.  Amen.

Joys:  my home; my warm bed; Hesed House and other homeless shelters that make a difference