Walking the Talk

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

I had a pretty unforgettable experience the other day.

It was a Friday afternoon. I had a free hour or so, which hardly ever happens, and so I thought I’d go to evening mass. And I decided to go to a church I had never been to before in midtown NYC.

Like I mentioned previously…I’m “Husband Hunting.”

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Cue the hair and makeup team…

ANYWHO…

We’re all sitting in the basement of this little chapel, just a stone’s throw from Penn Station, and the gospel was on “Whatever you do to the least of these my brothers, you do to Me.” (Matt 25:40)

Truthfully, I had kind of zoned out during the gospel. I know, I’m a horrible person. But I mean, how many times had I heard that classic parable? My mind was wandering to my plans with my friends that night, and what I was going to wear, and how much time I needed to get ready. I hate to admit it, but it was a classic in-one-ear-and-out-the-other kind of a scenario.

Well, fast forward to when it was time for communion, and I’m sitting on the aisle, and in true unabashed fashion, I’m checking out any potential men as they make their way up the aisle.

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And at the very end of the line, a homeless man, kind of staggers and hobbles his way up to the front.

And if you’ve never been to Catholic Mass, there’s the Eucharist ((bread)) – which everybody receives – and then off to the side is the wine, which is optional. And you typically just take a teeny-tiny, taste…not even a sip.

Well, this man, walks to the front and sidesteps the bread, and goes straight to the wine, where he chugs the entire vessel.

And as he’s walking back, he is very disruptive: banging on the piano, messing with the candles, muttering to himself, tapping a couple people on the shoulder. Just, kind of causing a ruckus before busting through the back door in an exit made for a TV movie.

I’m going to be brutally honest here, I was really not thinking very kind thoughts at the moment. I was being pretty grossly judgmental. Quite ugly, in fact.

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And as I was sitting there beginning to spiral into thoughts of, I hope he doesn’t have a gun, or How could he abuse communion like that? – God literally hit me over the head with His message.

For in that moment, I realized that this was literally the gospel – that I had just heard five minutes ago – playing out right in front of me.

Whatever you do to the least of these my brothers, you do it to Me. 

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Suddenly, I was filled with so much conviction for the horribly judgmental things I was thinking. And I saw that man with new eyes – as though I was looking at Jesus.

His toes were sticking out of the fronts of his worn out gym shoes. His tattered clothes were hanging off of him. This was a broken man, hungry and cold, that was trapped in the cycle of addiction, and needing some serious help.

And it was then that it dawned on me…what I had just said about that homeless man, could have been said about me too, during my anorexia. I was that man – broken, hungry, cold, and trapped in the addiction and enslavement of my eating disorder.

I had been there.

Sure, I may not have been stealing communion wine, but I had been doing other things that were just as unthinkable.

What about my habitual lying about my food intake? What about my addiction to the feeling of emptiness and impulsive need to burn calories?

I was no better than that homeless man. How dare I sit there and think disdainfully of him? This man needed compassion. And empathy. And help.

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Walking home and thinking about that gospel, I realized that I had always thought about it from the position of privilege. “Someone who is hungry, or in prison, or naked, etc. etc…those downtrodden people, how sad for them. I’m so glad that’s not me.” 

For the first time, I realized that, I was “those people”….We are all “those” broken people at one time or another.

And so was Jesus, when He chose to die.

Since then, I’ve often thought about that man. Especially as the temperature is dropping, and we’ve come to the time of year where family togetherness and overeating are all the norm. And I wonder if he’s warm. Where his family is. Where’s he’s sleeping.

I guess the next time I’m quick to judge, I need to take a second look. See Jesus. And see  the thread of humanity that is present in me, too.

And maybe it’s time for me to look into volunteering at the local soup kitchen.

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BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

297 thoughts on “Walking the Talk”

  1. Wow – you got some good comments on this post. I started looking through the comments wondering if you got any marriage proposals, then I said to myself; nah – she probably is having as much luck as I did finding a single lady at Church. I met my wife bowling of all places 😬 So, I work in public service and believe me, my faith is tested every day – I’ve seen it all: murder, abuse, drugs, violence, and you name it. You hit an important message here – if change is ever going to happen, we ALL have to “walk the walk”. Have you seen the story about the couple that helped the homeless guy with the Gofundme page? That’s kindness in action. God bless

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    1. Thanks so much! Yeah i love reading everyone’s thoughts and perspectives. Haha oh my gosh that’s too funny!!! My mom thinks I’m going to meet some through my blog! Haha And bowling! — how awesome! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

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  2. You need to be syndicated.
    There does not exist any chance whatsoever on this planet in this galaxy you will not end up writing for a living and become a household name. As Forest Gump said….”That is all I have to say about that.”
    The media is jam packed full of people, big name people who cannot write like you.
    Keep GOING. The good you are doing cannot be measured in this life.
    xoxo
    Roland

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    1. Oh my gosh Roland you are too kind! Seriously, what an incredibly kind thing to say. I am truly touched. Big hugs to you friend xox Ps- i love Forrest Gump 🙂

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  4. A great post – very thought provoking. I love how quotes (whether religious, literary or philosophical) can change our perceptions.

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  6. Hey, great blog post, I like the way you write, quite humorous and then serious, it fits well! It’s amazing how (including myself here) everyone is quick to judge, but when we have Jesus inside of us, He kinda “puts” us in that position, you know, makes us think, “what if that was us?” Then that is how we share the gospel to them, because we can relate somehow (if you get what I mean! :P) – I’ll pray for that homeless chap 🙂 xx

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  7. This reminds me of something I read in my devotional (Our Daily Bread) the other day about looking at others through the eyes of our own humanity. It’s an apt lesson, and I’m not surprised to see it again, maybe I’m also being nudged. “Listen Tosin, listen!”

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    1. Thank you so much Tosin, i appreciate your thoughts on this! I definitely think you are being nudged! Hugs and love xox

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  10. The post itself struck me, but there was a deeper message that was revealed as I continued to read. Genesis 3:1 (NIV) states “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made…” He’s so crafty, in fact that you having come from “…the position of privilege…” actually despised/fought against the blessing of abundance (e.g. food, family support, ease, etc.), rejecting the privilege as the enemy desired to make you destitute on many levels at the same time.

    Many of us, having come from “educated” families and “stable” homes, have been used by the enemy to reject the privileges (blessings) the Lord has given us–usually in the form of somehow walking away from the love and stability given us. Drug addiction, porn addiction, low self-worth, suicide, etc. are some of the primary things I’ve observed over the course of my life to this point.

    Interestingly, many poor/homeless/needy individuals become quite pissed off that those who seem to be privileged squander/reject the blessing of privilege. They then become angry to the point of belligerence when in the company of those deemed “privileged.” This individual then commits crimes (sins) against his/her own body, against others, against property, etc.

    So, through the enemy’s craftiness, the privileged individual rejects the blessings given to him/her, and the poor/needy individual, feeling rejected by others and by God possibly, fights against the world–including his/her own body–all because of the enemy’s impact.

    Thank God for His grace so that at some point we wake up to see the truth through Christ’s eyes as you were blessed to see.

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    1. Thank you so much for this thoughtful response. There’s a lot of powerful food for thought here. That’s a great point never to reject our blessings. Hugs and love xox

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  12. I have come here via ‘Mitigatingn Chaos’ and how glad I am that I did. Those wake-up calls are only for those who are prepared to listen which shows you to be a wise and decent young woman who has clearly had her own trials in life. Would that others learned and stopped the pervasive pong of prejudice from ruling them but rather understood that there but for the Grace of God go every single one of us. I have a dear friend who is fond of saying ‘we are all only two steps from the gutter as we walk down our road’. Thank you – this is a most excellent piece.

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  13. I am not a religious person myself and am often disturbed by the horrible things that are supposedly done in the name of religion, but your posts always remind me of what the role of faith is truly supposed to be.

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    1. Thank you so much Ashley. That seriously touches my heart. I’m so glad that my posts resonate with you. Thank you for reading! Sending big big hugs xox

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  17. Yes, mercy triumphs over judgment; but,we are called to be shrewd and cunning and discerning in what we say and do.
    This generation of believers faces a spiritual “minefield” in our daily walk. I pray often for God’s wisdom. I pray for the Kingdom family as well. Thank you for sharing your honesty.

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    1. Thanks so much Gary. You’re right – it’s a minefield indeed!! I’ll join you in those prayers. Hugs and love xox

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    1. Thank you so much Heather:) you’re right- sometimes we can’t see it through our blessings. Thanks for stopping by! I hope you’re having a great week! Hugs and love xox

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  19. I heard that gospel too, and I applaud you for your compassion. But I do wonder. Suppose the baked don’t want to be clothed? Are you then inflicting charity on them and taking away their right to choose? Is that worse than doing nothing? Is it then more charitable to leave them alone?

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  20. I appreciate how honest you are about expressing your true feelings. Thanks for sharing this. I love how you shared a real life example of the Gospel, God gives us those everyday. You were blessed to have seen that.

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    1. Thank you so much D. I appreciate your kind words and support. You’re right – He gives us examples every day. Hugs and love xox

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  22. Excellent post and a great reminder that we oftentimes need to take a step back and show everyone the grace they deserve despite their outward appearance and sometimes unthinkable actions. I appreciate your honesty and really loved/needed this post today! Hugs. xoxo

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  23. I had a somewhat similar experience recently. I was in an AA meeting, and a drunk man walked in. He was silent for a while, and then he stood up and began shouting nonsense. I tensed, preparing to stand up and confront the guy and usher him out, all the while thinking, “You don’t need to be here, you’re ruining this for everyone.” Really?! Where else should a drunk be besides an AA meeting? He obviously needed help. I’m so quick to judge and think about my own comfort. Three years ago, I was that man…I just didn’t interrupt meetings. There but for the grace of God go I….

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    1. Thanks Robert, for sharing this experience. I can’t imagine the tension that must have sparked. Yeah God’s grace is sure incredible. Hugs and love xox

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  26. Wow! As someone who used to live in NYC, this really hits home… your words speak so much. I needed to read this ^_^ Thank you.

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  27. Thank you for the reminder. I, too, heard the same Gospel reading this past weekend.

    I’m convicted.

    I want to hear, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” But have I done anything of the things that come with that inheritance?

    Time for me to wake up!

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  28. Wonderful insight, thanks for sharing. As I work with formerly homeless I continue to be surprised at their surprise at how similar we are. After working all day with one man on a carpentry project he exclaimed, “You’re just like me!” and he was so right, alcoholism, shame, and even darker addictions had kept me prisoner all my life and when he saw that it was like he had permission to be broken and still be human. It really hit me because I saw the same thing, something that I always have to remind myself of and pray about, I’m broken but made beautiful through His sacrifice.

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    1. Thanks friend. Wow what powerful work you do. You’re right – we are all made beautiful through Him! Hugs and love xox

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  29. Like others noted, your honesty is so powerful! Plus you write eloquently! Thanks for the wake-up call to notice and really SEE those around us.

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  30. Good Morning Caralyn. You did it to me again! 😀 I didn’t have a chance to read your post last night, so I read it this morning, while sitting in the car dealership, waiting for the shuttle ride home while the vehicle gets winterized. By the time I finished reading, tears were welling up inside my eyes, so it is a good thing the driver arrived, and asked who was waiting for a ride, and broke through my thoughts.
    As you mentioned the gentleman in church, it reminded me of many people I know in our area who suffer in a variety of ways, from drug or alcohol abuse, many from mental challenges, and some from neglect and physical abuse their entire lives. Although I don’t know if any actually entered a church and drank the wine during a communion service.
    I know all these people from years of doing street ministry in our downtown core, volunteering in a Drop In Centre, as well as being part of a new church in the core for the abusers, disenfranchised, working girls, hurting people etc.. So as I read your post, I was thinking of many of them, and their lives and hurt.
    A number of years ago, we had a speaker at our church who impacted my life greatly. She worked among homeless etc. in the province of British Columbia here in Canada. She shared also about looking at each person through the eyes of Jesus, but then as well, to look at each person as being Jesus, because He loves them, and is calling each one to Himself, so His Spirit can indwell each.
    Thank you Caralyn, for being a servant of Jesus Christ, who is using your talents and gifts to honour Him, as you Bless and encourage many.

    God Bless You Abundantly,
    Luv and hugs. 😀🌹❤️😘
    George

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    1. Hey George, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. wow, that sounds like a really powerful speaker. that’s so true – we need to see Jesus in every single person. Thanks for your wonderful encouragement. it really means the world. big hugs to you xox

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  31. I loved this post! Just heard a sermon on how we all are the same with the same sins. And we are not better than ANYONE else we see, although we are pretty good at judging that, thinking we are better then someone else. And GOD humbles! Isn’t it wonderful how GOD can convict us right then and there…….right before our very eyes! Let us be discerning of when HE does and be intentional about how we live out HIS GOSPEL!

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    1. thank you so much!! what a kind comment. you’re right – God humbles and really does give us a straight message right there. thanks for stopping by. Hugs and love xox

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  32. I love that God is always there to guide our hearts and our thoughts with gentle reminders and signs through his word. It is so easy to forget to stay humble and to remember that we have been at the bottom at one point or another… and it is so easy to forget that we are all God’s children. Love this post!

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    1. hi friend, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. that’s so true! we are ALL His children and deserve love and respect and dignity 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  35. Hi ! I love your post! As I was reading it, I was sitting in awe about my next blog being so similar to your words of judgement. I was sitting last night thinking that I will write next about judging and how we can start to reach out to those in need instead of shunning upon them. We may just say something or do something that changes their life. Great words!

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  38. One thing about it, Jesus did not turn him away did He? He gave to him all which was contained in the Chalice. Far more than wine was there.

    You know one time in my perish we have this mentally impaired person. He and I have set on the same pew forever. I love him with all of my heart.

    Well long story short, whenever he would go up to receive the Chalice, he would drink it all. This made some in my Church a little “nervy” to say the least, so the family would get behind me to walk with him, and they explained what was going on. After about a week of thinking about this, I called the family and gave them my thoughts.

    For one we sit in the back so there is hardly anything left in the first place, so that meant all those in front of us were “chugging it down.” He is always behind me and if there is one teaspoon left for me, that is a lot.

    Another, how blessed are we that we are not like G. If Jesus so chooses to give every single ounce of Himself to him, so be it. I also said, “If he was in my care, he and I would sit in the front and be the first one’s up there and I would tell him, “Have at it!” “Drink all you want!”

    From that day on the family quit getting in between he and I. The woman of the house said, “You have really made me think differently about this.” So we never know do we, what Jesus has in mind? Love you and God Bless, SR

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    1. you’re right about that – far more than wine was there. thanks for this powerful perspective. i really appreciate your sharing your experience, SR. and that’s so true – we never know what Jesus has in mind. so glad you stopped by. big hugs x

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  40. Church is an excellent place to husband hunt. 😉

    I must admit I’m not that tolerant of foolishness. I’d have been up out of my seat and helping the homeless man out of the back door before he finished chugging the sacramental wine.

    I firmly believe that Yeshua did not want us to be indiscriminate in our judgment. Each of us, children of Heavenly Father, has the divine spark (and therefore divine potential) within us. So we cannot “judge” where someone is going in the eternities; heaven, hell or somewhere else.

    What we can, and should judge, is whether someone’s actions are constructive and at least generally good or whether they are bad.

    Homeless man would have found himself outside before he had a chance to realize what happened. 😉

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    1. hahah thanks James. you’re right – church is a great place to find a spouse 🙂 That’s so true – we all have that divine spark. thanks for stopping by. big hugs x

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  42. Thanks so much for sharing. So true! Isn’t it amazing when God hits us over the head with something? I was just thinking that I’d really like to share some of my faith in my next blog – something I haven’t done before. So refreshing to read you sharing yours so openly. So thank you! I found real encouragement in this.

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    1. thank you so much friend. oh i think you should go for it! i would love to read your words about it. i’m in your corner and cheering for you!! so glad this resonated with you 🙂 big hugs xo

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  43. I’m not a Christian myself, but this certainly does resonate with me. I’ve been self-conscious of my body image for all my life, and the way that people saw me. Since realizing how that influenced my mindset and behavior, I’ve always tried my best to see the same of others: we have all been in situations when we are not at our best. And as difficult as it can be to step out of a mindset that condescends and scolds instead of one that tries to understand and love, it can and should be done. The poor and the homeless are often the ones that are looked down upon and are given the least amount of understanding. I wish that people would realize what you are speaking of here, whether it is because God hits them over the head or simply because of empathy. Thank you for sharing this!

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    1. Thanks Aarti! I’m so glad this resonated with you. You’re so right – understanding and empathy are two things the world could use a lot more of! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

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  45. This post is awesome, because it encompasses the UGLY and BEAUTIFUL of the humanity that is in every one of us. Your authenticity and relatability (I believe) are why people are driven to your blog. Don’t lose that ministry heart 🙂

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    1. Gosh thank you Brent. What a kind thing to say:) you’re right – both of those are in each and every one of us. Hugs and love xox

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  47. Thanks for your honesty! It is very easy to judge others. I am not sure how I would have reacted to the incidence at the church. I love could easily reacted the way you did. I love how you help us to see Jesus in him and in you when you were struggling. Your message needs to be spoken every where. I am glad many have seen this post. I am touched that you take the time to respond to each person. Blessings Roland 🙂

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    1. Thanks Roland! Gosh you’re kind to say that. Yeah it was a pretty sobering experience all the way around. So glad you stopped by! Hugs and love xox

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  48. Wonderful post!
    I often ask God to give me eyes like his, so I can see people the way he does. For who they were created to be and not for who they are without Jesus. It is very true that we are all broken, like broken vessels, in some way or another at the feet of Jesus. Yet, he is the one to mend us and heal us with his love and mercy and patience, all the time: he never fails. He is the potter and we are truly, the clay.
    Thank you so much. God bless you!

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    1. Thanks friend. That is so beautiful. We really are all at the feet of Jesus. What a comforting thought. Hugs and love xox

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  49. Soup kitchens are also a good place for husband-hunting. In fact, anywhere that you’re doing something you feel is important … The numbers may be small, but how wonderful to find someone who thinks your important things are important too!

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  50. Honestly my immediate pervading thought was, “Isn’t this the kind of heart that could stand to gain so much from sharing in the blood of Jesus?”

    And I get it – religion isn’t a friend to the least of these. I know that’s a harsh indictment but it’s true; religion–what we’ve made of religion in the west, anyway–would rather give that soul the fifty-thousand-steps-to-gaining-the-acceptance-of-Jesus (never mind his affections) because it puts the least of these into two categories: easily-ignored ‘willful sinners’, or reformed saints with the humanity of Jesus scrubbed out of them.

    Sorry, I actually didn’t mean to go on that rant! Haha.. stay tuned for a more interesting comment on your last Wednesday post 😉

    I love that Jesus keeps revealing himself to you in the unlikely. Watch for him, and you’ll see him where you never expected (:

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    1. Hey Carson! Thank you so much. Yeah, we’ve always got to keep our eyes open for Him. And what a powerful perspective. Thanks for sharing. Hugs and love xox

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