Practical Christian Mysticism

I was listening to the American Catholic Radio podcast (episode #08-18), when they had an interview with Bill Schoessling who is the executive director for Love, Inc., a ministry helping people and families get back on their feet. It isn’t just a charity but a full fledged “teach them to fish” ministry to help people learn to make their own living. I have always thought a good charity does not just feed people, but teach them to feed themselves. However, I am not mentioning Bill because of his ministry, but because of his heart. He challenged me to rethink the HEART of charity.

During the interview Bill said how some people would just keep getting themselves into trouble, and just wouldn’t follow the advise he was trying to give them. They can be “like an alcoholic or drug addict” he said. I have had very similar experiences in my own encounters with those in need. Some people just seem like they are addicted to misery.

This poverty-pattern lead me to question the nature of charity. I often hear modern day counselors speak of being careful of “enabling” people to live destructive lives. Words like “tough love” float around a lot when people consider what to do with those who just can’t seem to take care of themselves. So I began to wonder, does charity even work?

More than just questioning charity, I began to question the value of compassion. I originally helped people because I genuinely felt bad about the condition of their lives. After getting closely involved in the lives of several people, and learning just how much they created their own misery, my emotions turned from compassion to anger. These people ruin their own lives, why should I care about them.

If it weren’t for the fact Jesus commands us to serve the poor, I probably wouldn’t have kept thinking about it. But I did keep thinking about it, and I did realize a few things. First, living in America obscures our perception of poverty. Most people here have ample opportunity to improve their lives, so the chances are greater that the person you meet with their hand out messed up their own lives. However, in other countries, and in the “hidden” places here in America, people are genuinely poor and lack the opportunity to improve their own lives.

Secondly, the primary focus of Scriptural teaches on the poor are widows, orphans, elderly, the sick, and the disabled. Another weird element of this country is that most of our random encounters with beggars and the poor are seemingly able-bodied men, (probably because they are physically capable of begging). It seems the truly poor and needy are hidden from view. However, if we take the time to look, we find there is a great need for charity to those in true need. Children are waiting to be adopted, single mothers are getting abortions out of fear and desperation, and anyone who has worked or been involved in a nursing home knows how our busy world has no room for the elderly and disabled.

All that aside, I was still bothered by the anger in my heart toward those approaching me for help.  The youthful mind often tries to rationalize and justify the actions of those who don’t take care of themselves.  It is easier to have compassion on those in need when you feel they are “victims”.  The problem is that people are seldom true “victims”, and when that facade deteriorates there is little reason left for compassion.

There is where Bill Schoessling’s interview hit me.  There really is no reason behind compassion. People often get what they deserve in life, and when we look for a reason for mercy, there is often none to be found… except that we ourselves are shown mercy from Jesus Christ.  Jesus set the president for showing mercy and charity to those who DON’T deserve it.  God has shown me repeated mercy for my own mistakes, so why should I not offer others the same?

Even deeper is the call to LOVE.  There is no intellectual reason behind God’s love for us, He just does.  If my own son turned into a hardened criminal, I would still love him, just as God always loves us.  The call to love, patience, and long-suffering isn’t a call to help those who deserve it, but to see others as God sees them. Near the end of the Interview Bill said, “There is many a times I will get frustrated with a client… you just got to look at them like it is God sitting there or Jesus sitting across from you.”

I thought back even to my own article about The Emotional God, and how sometimes Christianity isn’t about reason, but instead about just seeing others how God sees them.  As someone who prides themselves on reason, it is hard for me to sometimes just obey and take God at His Word.  I am glad there are people like Bill Schoessling out there who do simply obey.

Related Links:

• American Catholic Radio
• Love, Inc.