Outside the Beautiful Gate

I’ve been reading more and more troubling articles about homelessness and the ever-increasing cost of living, due in large part to escalating housing and food costs. This is nothing new. Reliance on social assistance supplemented by food banks and faith-based and secular meal programs has jumped exponentially. At the same time profits of grocery chains have skyrocketed, including during the pandemic.

I’m preaching Sunday about Peter and John healing the crippled beggar outside the temple at what is called the Beautiful Gate. It seems the man’s friends thought they had done enough by just bringing him there every day and leaving him to ask those coming to pray for money. Perhaps this usually worked for him and he experienced the pity of passersby who, as they were entering a holy place, felt compelled to help.

This story raises so many questions for me, particularly as I consider that yesterday was National Indigenous Peoples Day and Monday was World Refugee Day. Because that man’s entire existence seemed to be about constantly asking for help. People tossed him a few coins here and there and thought they had done their duty. Many probably walked right by, not noticing him after so long or not wanting to see him. Those tossing him something from their excess didn’t solve the problem.

Peter and John looked him in the eye, had physical contact with him, and through the power of Christ told him to stand on his own two feet. Miraculously he was healed. His life trajectory changed in an instant. He found freedom and a new identity. He was now the man who used to beg outside the temple. And all Peter and John seemed to have to do was recognize his humanity, dignify him and call on God to intervene.

Is it that simple for us? When we see the increasing numbers of homeless among us, when we consider the millions of refugees worldwide and the injustices towards Indigenous Peoples and the other disenfranchised of society, is that all it takes? Can we just walk up to them and look them in the eye and tell them that they can stand through the power of God?

For those who believe in healing miracles, many recognize that it isn’t our gift to heal people physically. However, with so many kept just outside closeness to God and beauty, expected to watch from beyond the Beautiful gate to worship (and other important places in society), we also can’t accept status quo. If Jesus taught us anything it is to stop and notice the marginalized and the things others would rather not see. No one should be denied the full beauty of life.

I am inspired this week with what miracles can happen when undertaken by ordinary people. A benefit concert for Ukrainian refugees raised $3000 last Friday. A warehouse is filled with donations for these people who are arriving with next to nothing. Volunteers can’t keep up with donations. Hearts in our community are open despite our own economic situations. Those who can are sharing what they have. They are recognizing that these people, though from a foreign country, are just like them.

Perhaps Ukrainian refugees tug more easily at our heart strings to inspire generosity, but then there are the meals for the homeless provided downtown here and the Operation Sharing consortium of churches meeting various needs of the impoverished. Geared to income housing is being pushed by louder and louder voices to enable people to have affordable places to live..

The Beautiful gate is opening, little by little, to those who have been traditionally disenfranchised. Each of us and our churches have a role to play in enabling those who Christ loves who are typically left outside to be welcomed in, to be offered dignity and to find healing and what they need to live fully as God’s children. How can you push against the barriers that seek to keep them out?