Seeing and Not Helping

We must have eyes to see as well as hands to help, or we may never help at all. I think this well-known anonymous poem expresses it powerfully:

I was hungry and you formed a humanities club to discuss my hunger. Thank you.

I was imprisoned and crept off quietly to your chapel to pray for my release. Nice.

I was naked and, in your mind, you debated the morality of my appearance. What good did that do?

I was sick and you knelt and thanked God for your health. But I needed you.

I was homeless and you preached to me of the shelter of the love of God. I wish you'd taken me home.

I was lonely and you left me alone to pray for me. Why didn't you stay?

You seem so holy, so close to God; but I'm still very hungry, lonely, cold, and still in pain.

Pastor Selvaraj Periannan