“And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you,

just as you did it to one of the least of these

 who are members of my family, you did it to me.’”

–Matthew 25:40

Later this week, Lori and I go for Code Blue training. The organization sponsoring that event focuses on the care and shelter of neighbors experiencing homelessness in my county. My final pastorate was an organizing sponsor of that group. A previous congregation was involved in a similar ministry called “Room in the Inn.” In both cases, the faith community would open their door on winter nights when it was too cold to sleep outside. In addition to a warm place to sleep, the congregation provided three meals, fellowship and a place to shower. 

When the idea was first proposed to our church board, the enthusiasm for helping was immediate and broad. Soon, our congregation (and three others in the community) hosted guests on nights when the temperature fell below 28 degrees. To open the shelter required fourteen volunteers to help with set-up and welcome, meal preparation and clean-up, driving a van and staying up overnight to ensure everything ran smoothly. Our church paid for a van used to pick-up and return guests. During COVID, when we could not host due to indoor restrictions, we still opened our showers for our neighbors in need. A few years ago, the congregation began a Community Meal on the third Sunday of each month, too, where neighbors experiencing homelessness and church members break bread together. While that body of faith has always engaged in significant acts of outreach and compassion, I cannot think of one project that evoked more commitment and passion from the members than Code Blue. Jesus called for just that kind of care.

One of the most memorable times of such advocacy came when he told of the future day when our king would separate the sheep from the goats. He used animal imagery as a metaphor for those who would enter into eternity with him and those who would be cast out. The deciding factor, interestingly enough in that moment was not faith, but how the individual  had cared for persons in need.  “I was hungry and you gave me food,” he said. “I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Jesus named times he needed clothing or faced illness or had been imprisoned and how the righteous had helped. His audience was confused and asked when they had done any of those things. He replied “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” 

A few weeks after our initial time of hosting the Code Blue shelter, I received a letter from someone I did not know. “Dear Rev. Willingham, I am a resident of [this community]and have worked with homeless persons for the past twenty years.  I recently sent [someone] to your church facility for code blue. The person called me and he was the happiest I have seen him in years. He told me your facility for allowing the homeless to come out of the cold is exceptional. He said the volunteers were very friendly and went out of their way to accommodate him. He said the food was excellent and…’he was even allowed to have seconds.’ He said he was able to shower, and above all he felt safe…He also said it was the safest he has felt in his thirty years of being homeless. I [would] just like to congratulate…your volunteers, and everyone connected with the code blue program for a job well done. One of my favorite sayings is ‘Preach the Gospel; if necessary use words.’ Your volunteers are certainly living up to that [ideal].”

The care of neighbors experiencing homelessness is one way we can respond with such intentionality and kindness, but clearly is not the only occasion to act in that way. Instead, I encourage you, wherever you are, and whenever you can to keep caring for Jesus’ family members with the same compassion and respect and love. You just never know who the person you are helping will turn out to be.    

Creator of all, thank you for the opportunity to care for the hurting ones of this world.  Lead us to use our gifts in ways that always reveal your concern for the whole human family. Amen.