There is great gain in religion
The scandal of the real poor.
This subject has been on my mind for days - maybe even weeks - the embarrassment of the poor. Catholic priests, nuns, and lay people can beg for money for their worthy causes - sometimes very personal causes - and yet others think nothing of it. But if a drunken homeless man asks for $1 outside the church after Mass - it is deemed a nuisance.
If not begging, professional Catholics can sell themselves at every opportunity as well - “buy my stuff, or pay my way and support me, my family, or my vocation, because I’m a good Catholic.” Yet when it comes to the truly poor and the destitute - entire cities want nothing to do with them. Why do we despise the poor when they are on our doorstep or on our streets?
It hasn’t just been the case here in Minneapolis, Minnesota - with the city trying to ban the poor at Caring and Sharing Hands - news today is that Assisi, the birthplace of the greatest beggar ever, St. Francis of Assisi wants to ban begging from the city streets there. Story here.
Obviously the city of Assisi wants the money instead.
