Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious
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Gospel of Luke 18: 35-43
As Jesus approached
Jericho a blind man was
sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd
going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth
is passing by.” He shouted, “Jesus,
Son of David, have pity on me!” The people walking
in front rebuked him, telling him to be
silent, but he kept calling
out all the more, “Son of David, have
pity on me!”
The Homeless Child While driving to work this morning, I heard on Catholic radio disturbing statistics. Child homelessness is on the rise in America with over 2.5 million children homeless at some point in 2013. One in 30 children do not have a roof over their head. How can this be? Children as young as 6 years of age living alone on the streets?? What's going on here? It's hard to believe this is happening in the wealthy U.S.A.
The ABC news article (click here) blames America's high poverty rate, lack of affordable housing, and domestic violence on the highest homelessness rates in years. I think there is much truth in this assessment. However, could it also be related to the growing disparity between the rich and the poor? So many of the middle class are living on stagnant wages, barely able to afford rising costs in food and commodities. Will these families be forced to send their children to live on the streets because that's one or two less mouths to feed? Frightening to think about.....
Even more frightening is if the pro-abortion industry begins to use this devastating trend to encourage more women to abort. I can see the campaign slogan now: "Are you pregnant and in poverty? Do you want your child to live out on the streets? We have a solution for you here at Planned Parenthood. Just give us a call for a confidential consultation." YIKES, Not good!!!
As for domestic abuse, I'm sure many of these children rather live on the streets than be anywhere near their abusers. They will risk the heat, rain, cold and chill to avoid being repeatedly beaten and raped by caretakers.
Furthermore, we cannot forget the thousands of illegal children displaced into this country who have escaped deportation. They travel from town to town, not even fluent in English, desperate for a hot meal and a warm bed to stay in.
I'm sure if Saint Elizabeth of Hungary was alive today she'd start a grass root effort to get our children off the streets and back into homes. As patron saint of the homeless, we can call on her intercession!
The Blind Man A blind man on the streets of Jericho begged for help. He needed food and shelter; yet, because of his "condition" he was simply cast away. In fact, the people commanded him to be silent as he asks Jesus to have pity on him! Sadly enough, the way people think of the homeless isn't much better today.
Many people recoil at the site of the homeless; the person smells bad and looks filthy. They turn and walk down another street. They walk pass the homeless with the head down looking at the sidewalk. But, when it comes to a homeless child it's a whole other story. I don't think children choose to be homeless! They are forced to live as "mini adults" losing innocence way too soon. A child may be attending school, but most likely they don't. I'm sure if they do make it to school they are made fun of by their wealthier peers who do live in homes.
What can we do with the rising rates of child homelessness? First and foremost, pray for their safety! Pray that they will receive the resources to help them through a difficult time. Maybe as a part of Advent, make a donation to a homeless shelter or volunteer to work at a soup kitchen. Advocate for the plight of the homeless in your area.
There's no excuse for children to be living in the streets. America is not a third-world country! We must remember this and fight to protect our children.
St. Margaret of Hungary, Pray for Us!
-J.
Even more frightening is if the pro-abortion industry begins to use this devastating trend to encourage more women to abort. I can see the campaign slogan now: "Are you pregnant and in poverty? Do you want your child to live out on the streets? We have a solution for you here at Planned Parenthood. Just give us a call for a confidential consultation." YIKES, Not good!!!
As for domestic abuse, I'm sure many of these children rather live on the streets than be anywhere near their abusers. They will risk the heat, rain, cold and chill to avoid being repeatedly beaten and raped by caretakers.
Furthermore, we cannot forget the thousands of illegal children displaced into this country who have escaped deportation. They travel from town to town, not even fluent in English, desperate for a hot meal and a warm bed to stay in.
I'm sure if Saint Elizabeth of Hungary was alive today she'd start a grass root effort to get our children off the streets and back into homes. As patron saint of the homeless, we can call on her intercession!
The Blind Man A blind man on the streets of Jericho begged for help. He needed food and shelter; yet, because of his "condition" he was simply cast away. In fact, the people commanded him to be silent as he asks Jesus to have pity on him! Sadly enough, the way people think of the homeless isn't much better today.
Many people recoil at the site of the homeless; the person smells bad and looks filthy. They turn and walk down another street. They walk pass the homeless with the head down looking at the sidewalk. But, when it comes to a homeless child it's a whole other story. I don't think children choose to be homeless! They are forced to live as "mini adults" losing innocence way too soon. A child may be attending school, but most likely they don't. I'm sure if they do make it to school they are made fun of by their wealthier peers who do live in homes.
What can we do with the rising rates of child homelessness? First and foremost, pray for their safety! Pray that they will receive the resources to help them through a difficult time. Maybe as a part of Advent, make a donation to a homeless shelter or volunteer to work at a soup kitchen. Advocate for the plight of the homeless in your area.
There's no excuse for children to be living in the streets. America is not a third-world country! We must remember this and fight to protect our children.
St. Margaret of Hungary, Pray for Us!
-J.
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