I'm Becoming An Unapologetic 'Proxy Beggar'

 

I picture homeless Gazan families, malnourished Yemeni mothers, starving
South Sudanese children and millions of others in desperate need around
the world begging as if their lives depended on it. For all too many, they do.
Are they not our neighbors?

Like the pious priest and Levite in Jesus' story in the gospel of Luke, chapter 15, we find it easy to "pass by on the other side" when we see images of hungry, homeless and helpless neighbors in faraway places. 

Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan in answer to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" To love our neighbors as ourselves means we are to have the same regard for their wellbeing as for our own. But are our neighbors just those who live near us and who are much like us, or is the whole world both God's neighborhood and our own?

In the gospel story, Jesus affirms the "good neighbor" as the person who, even though from another place and of a different faith and culture, sees a need and does everything he can to meet it. Ignoring suffering, passing by on the other side when people are dying for lack of care, is not an option.

One opportunity to help fellow neighbors in need is to give to organizations like Mennonite Central Committee--or to any of scores of similar organizations--is to make a generous contribution. MCC, for example, accepts donations on their website and receives help from efforts like the Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale, where all profits from food, auction and other sales go to help those in need. They also have a Sharing Our Surplus (SOS) giving table for making donations by check, cash or credit card.  All donations will be matched dollar for dollar up to a grand total of $25,000.

You can also donate on the VMRS website by credit card or by sending a check made out to VMRS (with SOS on the memo line) and mail it to VMRS, 601 Parkwood Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22802. Those gifts will also be matched.

On behalf of the desperately poor, on behalf of their compassionate Creator and on behalf of the servant of the poor, Jesus himself, I beg your help.