More About Beggars

Editor’s note: In our July 14 edition, Therese Borchard wrote a column wondering if it was an act of compassion to give money to beggars. Or was it merely reinforcing a sense of dependency? We invited readers to respond. We printed some responses in our July 28 issue. Here are some additional reactions:

Dear Editor: I greet the homeless, whom I see occasionally, with a smile and a kind word. Those who respond in a friendly way have never asked for anything. It gives them a lift just to be treated with respect.

To those who approach me on the street, I extend an invitation to be my guest in a diner or a fast food place. If they accept my invitation, I know they are truly needy, and I treat them to a meal or pizza. If pressed for time, I give them enough money to purchase it for themselves.

Ann O’Grady
The Bronx

Dear Editor: God bless! And I pray that this letter finds you well in spirit and health. Amen.

I am a Muslim man who is unfortunately incarcerated. However, that doesn’t prevent me in any way from trying to be the best servant of God that I can be. In some cases, it’s actually a blessing.

Anyway, I was given The Tablet to read by the facility chaplain and was intrigued by Therese Borchard’s column (July 14) about beggars and wanted to share some Islamic thoughts on the topic.

As Muslims, we are commanded by Allah (God) to “…And repulse not the beggar.” Qur’an 93:10.

“As for him/her who gives in charity and keeps his duty to Allah and fears Him; And believes in Al Husna (Goodness); We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness). Qur’an 92: 5,6,7.

As human beings, we have an obligation to see that we are all taken care of as God wants us to be.

Whatever your religion or belief, one thing we should all have in common as concerns are the well-being of our fellow brethren and sisters.

Our society is the way it is because the majority of us sit by and allow the evil and poverty and degradation to exist. God has left it up to us to turn that around.
Just some thoughts I wanted to share. Thank you for entertaining them.

John Sease
Southport Correctional Facility
Pine City, N.Y.

Dear Editor: And who is my neighbor?

As the collection counters approached the rectory door they paused. Obstructing the entrance was a black pile of clothing and plastic, enclosing a man. They couldn’t enter the door even if buzzed in without deciding what to do next.

One of them recognized the figure as a parishioner of choice, a thin South American, with limited English, who collected cans and bottles in the area for years and who sat slumped over the back pews in a dark corner of our church during the winter weather and who was asked to leave when the service was over because the church had to be closed.

Not having a home would probably make someone else sad, but the liquid left in some of the aluminum cans seemed to be the medicine one needed to get over those feelings. It’s amazing how God takes care of us even when we are hallucinating in the middle of a busy intersection, with drivers not knowing which way to turn as they approach.

But the collection counters had to get into the rectory and so the figure had to be moved. Fortunately, he was recognized by a retired social worker who tried to stir him while the other looked on. Was he dead or was he asleep was the question when he didn’t seem to respond and his head just moved so limply.

He was pulled up, dragged a few inches away and propped up against the entrance doorway, so the counters could pass through. The door closed behind him.
A priest confirmed he was from Ecuador, the social worker mentioned that several people tried to refer him for help at Catholic Charities before, but for some reason he never followed through.

The account set up for hungry homeless was no longer in use because those referred spoke too loudly, smelled, and were not good for business. It was all understandable.

It’s great to be acknowledged because you have provided someone with a Big Mac meal at about 6 p.m. when the recipient has spent the whole day collecting bottles and cans after a cold storm. You even get an adoring acknowledgement, a big hug, series of thank yous and God bless yous! And doesn’t it make you feel so good to think that you were a good Samaritan?

I felt so bad that I had to call the police. The police said they don’t arrest these men, they just ask them to move on.

Name Withheld

Dear Editor: In reference to how to treat the beggars and homeless, I do not judge lest I be judged. Remember Matthew 25:40, “Whatever you do for the least of our brothers and sisters, you do for me.”

Jo Belle
Williamsburg

Dear Editor: St. Augustine said, “Charity is good, but it must never be practiced contrary to sound judgment.” Thus, I refrain from helping beggars monetarily if I feel the money would be improperly spent, say for drugs, or alcohol, rather than for food.

This, of course, involves a personal judgment call and sometimes it is not clear what that call should be. In such a case I opt to err on the side of generosity by giving money to the beggar, trusting God to sort it out in His own way and in His own time.

Bruce Snowden
The Bronx

Dear Editor: For the past 11 years, I was the director for the Catholic Charities Outreach Program that provided services to homeless persons daily on the streets of Queens. In retirement, I serve as a newly ordained deacon.

I see charity as helping meet the need of the person  not necessarily his/her wants. The first step with a homeless person is to see and meet him or her as a real person and not as a statistic or a thing to be helped. If a homeless person asks for money and has been drinking or using drugs it is a pretty safe bet that any money he or she receives will just go for more drink or drugs.To bring them a cup of coffee or a bottle of water or a cup of soup would be more helpful than to give them money that would be used to maintain a bad habit or addiction. To encourage and help the person get to a hospital for detox and rehabilitation would be very helpful.

When I was director of the Homeless Outreach Program we would bring a homeless person to the hospital and would often respond to calls from people who saw that a homeless person needed help. I recommend that a person desiring to help will do great good if he/she bases his/her charity on real need. A hungry person needs a sandwich, A thirsty person a drink (soup, water, coffee, etc. not more liquor) a cold person a coat or sweater, etc. A person could also help by calling Catholic Charities or another outreach program and give them the location where the homeless person is who needs help.

Deacon Arthur Griffin
Maspeth

Dear Editor: Giving money to beggars on the street is a very bad practice. It continues the cycle of co-dependency. From my own experiences of what I have seen, they prey on the hard workers with their sob stories. The beggars at the end of the day go home with a great day’s pay more than those who give to them. But theirs is tax free.

Money should be given only to registered organizations that take care of those in need.

Most beggars on the street are lazy.

Gob bless you.

Catherine Murphy
Brooklyn

Dear Editor: Should we give to beggars? Yes.

Our Father loves beggars — loves everyone — He has given to us all His Son our Lord our I am. Jesus has embraced us all — sins, faults, false Gods — addictions etc. He has accepted us all. It cost Him His life.

I must begin to see myself and others as Jesus sees us. Being He has taken our sins and they died with Him. We too have died with Him in Baptism and also risen with Him. We are a new creation in His sight. We all of us are beautiful and precious. We belong to Him. We have a beautiful — all beautiful God who has accepted us and still does.

So it is more than giving money. It’s embracing each other, showing ourselves we are lovable.

Generally we do not know that God loves us unconditionally and therefore we put conditions on ourselves and others in loving.

If we have a doubt of God’s unconditional love all we have to do is to look at a crucifix. He did not say change then I will die for you. No, He laid down His life for us all - just the way we are. If that is not acceptance, what is? Therefore we must accept ourselves and others. And His love will change us.

I have never met anyone like Him. Oh yes, I must fail a million times a day in practicing this. But He will never leave me — us. I love you just as you are.

Jimmy Blythe
Jamaica