The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is one we would rather not think about. Perhaps because the parable divides rich from poor, us from them. What do we do about the hungry ones we see? Some of us opt to look away or order our lives in such a way as to avoid seeing them altogether. But, by doing so, we are choosing to be clueless. But the parable tells us that not getting it is no excuse.
There are no easy answers. But if you are a part of the solution; that is, if you are involved some way in teaching hungry people to fish, you might find some peace and sense of balance when you encounter the hungry.
You may not be able to heal and feed them all, but you can do something about some of the ones right at your gate or subway stop.
This message is adapted from “The Least of These” written by Barbara Berry Bailey in the March 2005 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine.