Seeing Christ in Others

There are some pretty sad derelicts in the world. Some are physically unsightly — some mentally so — some are obnoxious in their actions; in their degradation and their blatant sinfulness, etc. But, let us take a second look. What do we see? Look good and hard — hard enough and deep enough to see in the eyes of this derelict, Christ hanging on the Cross — for him! Then listen to Christ’s voice from the Cross, “Father, forgive this derelict for he knows not what he does.”

    Let us ask ourselves, “What keeps me from being like this poor wretch?” The answer comes loud and clear, “It is only God’s gift of a better opportunity than this one ever had.” Christ has given me this strong gift of Faith, and is asking me to search out a Christ image somewhere in this other person. Christ is his brother just as much as He is mine. So, I must ask myself, “What can I do for him?” The answer comes to me: “help him physically” if I can, but pray for him, by all means; it may be the only thing I can do for him.