"I Am Poor"

One of my very favorite priests, Fr. John Hollowell, recently shared a homily about serving the poor.  One of his parishioners sent him a poem she wrote in response to his homily.  It's terrific!  I'd like to share it here:

By Sharon Sauer

 

I am poor.

I have food to eat but hunger does not come.

There is no pleasure in food.

I waste away though a full plate lies before me.

I have clothes to wear and jewelry for adornment

But no place to go. Nakedness and cold surround me.

I am not behind bars yet freedom I lack.

I am chained by past sins and guilt.

Darkness looms.

Hospitals and doctors have no cure for my disease.

Sickness of mind destroys my soul and body,

Slowly I am dying from the inside out.

I am poor, a wretched soul.

Please I beg you, Be Jesus to me.

Day by day I walk by you yet you see me not.

The pain that destroys me is so well hidden no one knows.

It appears to all that I have no needs.

Yet I have the greatest need of all.

Without love why should I breathe?

Please I beg you, Be Jesus to me.

Neither food nor clothes do I need.

Yet I am destitute, gravely in need.

A kind word, a smile, a caring look

A genuine “how are you” without hurrying away

A listening ear, a compassionate heart

Your time, your friendship, the Love of Christ

Please I beg you, Be Jesus to me.