Basil *(the great)

I must say that he looks a bit like an alien. Maybe he was. Whatever. Here's a dude from the 4th century, he was quoted in the book: Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. Beware: its not a feel good quote.






"When someone strips a man of his clothes we call him a thief. And one who might clothe the naked and does not - should not he be given the same name? the bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry; the coat in your wardrobe belongs to the naked; the shoes you let rot belong to the barefoot; the money in your vaults belongs to the destitute."
-Basil the Great

I too am guilty. I must also give. I think its easy to say: "I will get another Compassion child." It makes us feel a bit better - but never bridges the chasm between the rich and poor. It doesn't reflect the body of Christ. We must touch the leper; Spoon feed the weak back to health; And hug those bleeding to death from physical and emotional wounds. Its dirty, Its messy, Its beautiful. You need not travel half-way around the world to do it (although this may very well be what God has called you to do). You need only look outside your window. Every city has its homeless, its drug addicts, its prom queens, its suicidal teens, its divorced, its 'fill-in-the-blank.' What are YOU doing about it?

Following Jesus is simple, but not easy. Love until it hurts, and then love more. - Mother Teresa