He sees the man across the street begging for change outside a liquor store. While he sits in his car, he’s able to turn the heat up a little so the cold and chilly air doesn’t affect him much. It’s now he notices the man’s clothes are threadbare and his coat is a flannel shirt with holes in the elbows, the shoes long ago wore out and had utility tape to hold them together.
Zipping up his leather jacket he starts tapping his own boots against the floorboards in time to some tune quietly playing on the radio. He can feel the bulge of his wallet in his back pocket. Looking away from the scene being played out; the beggar giving away more of his dignity to each passing stranger, he tries not to see anything.
His mind wonders what brought the man to this place and circumstance. He’s reminded of a father he’s never known and returns his gaze to the bum he’s been watching. Is that man someone’s father? Is there a son or daughter somewhere wondering where he is or what has become of him?
He hesitates for a few moments and reaches for the door handle. It’s time to find out if there’s some kind of hero in himself……..
Matt 25:35-40
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’