"Can I Have That?"
Excerpt from 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12-19
“He blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts, and distributed food among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people went back to their homes.”
Reflection by Christina Villa
Walking back to the office after lunch one day, carrying a take-out box with the remains of a club sandwich in it, I passed a tattered man sitting on the pavement. He pointed at my leftover lunch and said, “Can I have that?” I was startled. I’m used to being asked for money on the street, but I had never been asked for the food in my hand before. I have to admit that I hesitated for a split second; it had been a good sandwich and I wanted the rest of it. But I gave it to the tattered man.
Some people never give money to panhandlers, reasoning that handouts remove people’s incentive to take care of themselves. Other people agonize over it, worrying that the money will just go to buy drugs. Still others give according to mood—some days they’re generous and other days they can’t be bothered (this group includes me). And finally there are those who always give whenever they’re asked.
That last group probably has it right, all things considered. When the man asked for my leftover sandwich, it occurred to me that there’s really no difference between giving someone food and giving them money. Who am I to decide what gives incentive to someone else? And the dollar I give to a panhandler is nowhere near enough to buy me the right to decide what he does with it. It isn’t even enough to buy him a sandwich! And why should my mood at any given moment—altruistic or indifferent--keep someone from eating?
Prayer
Food is a blessing from you. It’s not mine to give or withhold because of my emotions or opinions. Help me remember this at every meal. Amen.
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