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“Not my problem” is her reply, as she continues on her way, listening to her music
and texting.
[pause]
Up on the 2nd floor, on the fire escape, of one of the buildings, sleeps Samuel. Samuel
is homeless and has been ever since he lost his factory job last year. Now he works for
one of the local restaurants but still doesn't make quite enough to afford a place to stay.
His shift is about to start so he climbs down from the fire escape, trying to make himself
presentable as he goes. He's about to exit the alley when he hears a sudden moan from
behind. He turns to see Jene groggily getting up off the ground. Samuel immediately rushes
over to see what he can do. He steadies Jene and then sees Pat lying at his feet. Pat's
wounds appear to be more extensive than Jene's and thus why there was no movement as of yet.
The two standing exchange names and Jene explains what had happened. Samuel states that he knows
of a walk in clinic not but a few blocks away and offers his assistance in getting them
medical attention. Samuel checks that Pat is alright enough to move and the each get
on opposite sides and shoulder Pat between them. They eventually make their way to the
clinic. Pat and Jene are immediately rushed to a room so that a doctor could take a closer
look at their injuries. Samuel approached the nurse's station and as he did he reached
into one of his pockets and pulled out a pocket watch. The casing was highly polished and
reflected whatever was against it almost like a mirror. The lid was engraved with a scene
of a horse drawn coach and was very detailed. It would be considered an antique. As he neared
the station, he handed the nurse the watch saying, “This should cover the expenses
of my two friends.” The nurse looks at the watch and questions the rational of the man,
“This looks to be very old and worth quite a lot of money. Are you sure you want to part
with it?” “I am,” said the man, “It does have sentimental value to me but it will
do that poor couple more good than me.” And with that being said, he turns and leaves
for his job. He would later stop by and check in on the couple until it was time for them
to go home. Now let us examine the three passersby—the
missionary, the college student and the homeless person. What characteristics does each of
these represent in the story? The missionary thought himself doing good by going door to
door into the rough neighborhoods and preaching the gospel. But yet he was so filled with
hate for anyone that he thought was beneath him that he missed out on the most perfect
opportunity of all to be a witness for Christ. He could have showed the love of Christ by
helping the poor couple that had been attacked. Instead he preferred to call them names and
make assumptions. Much like many religious groups who feel it necessary to demonstrate
who God accepts and who God does not. Take Westboro Baptist Church, for example, led
by Fred Phelps. According to a blog by Ed Hunsinger on laughingsquid.com, WBC had scheduled
a protest, signs waving, in front of the Twitter offices in San Francisco. However what makes
this article interesting is how a group of individuals managed to take the sting out
of WBC’s protest. This group of individuals carried signs themselves, but instead of hate
speech, their signs were utter nonsense and randomness. Signs like “I have a sign!”,
“I was promised donuts!”, “Where’s Waldo?” The press and people passing by
ignored the WBC signs instead to focus on the group’s entertaining signs. So in essence
they found a way to combat the hate without resorting to the same derogatory remarks.
Apathy is defined according to the dictionary as having or showing little or no emotion
or not interested or concerned; indifferent or unresponsive. The not interested or concerned
and indifferent of that definition would describe the college student. She had shut the world
out because she felt that she could do nothing to change it or that it wasn't worth her effort.
Much like a lot of people in this world who accept things as they are because they feel
they are powerless to make things better. Most become so self absorbed that unless it
has a benefit to themselves it's not worthy of their notice. You've seen them in the store
or driving down the street. Their presence is one of that they are the only ones in that
particular place and time. Manners are not even considered and courteousness is not apart
of their vocabulary. Apathy is also seen in the political arena, where voters don't participate
in elections because they feel that things will stay the same no matter which party is
in office. Scrooge from Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol” is a prime example of apathy.
By the end of the story, he finally grows a heart and changes the error of his ways.
And finally, the homeless man, Samuel, who demonstrated Christ's love by going out of
his way to help the couple. Not only did he stop and help, but he also provided payment,
an antique watch that was a family heirloom, for the medical attention they needed. He
gave of his most valuable possession because he had determined that someone else would
benefit from it more than himself. It's ironic that the one who had the least was willing
to give his all. Now I'm not saying that you have to give all of your worldly goods or
even a small part to show love. It can be something as small as a smile to a passerby
on the street, a hug to someone that is hurting, a prayer for someone you don't even know.
The smallest gesture can speak volumes. And maybe enough of them can eradicate some of
the hate and apathy in the world. Will you share some love today?