Urban Way of the Cross: The Homeless Community

For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Matthew 25:35-36

Reflection: 'We Have to be Person-Centered'



"Ethics at Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless is just the air we breathe, it's the basis of our mission, the work that we do, it's because we think there's a right and better way to address homelessness, to address access to health care.  We have to be very person-centered  We have to be very participatory and equitable in our practices and our processes and our decision-making."  Jenny Metzler, Director, Health Care for the Homeless

Prayer -author unknown
read by Abraham Placencio

I was hungry…
and you formed a humanities club
and you discussed my hunger.
Thank you.

I was imprisoned…
and you crept off quietly to your basement chapel and
prayed for my release.

I was naked…
and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.

I was sick…
and you knelt and thanked God for your health.

I was homeless…
and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God.

I was lonely…
and you left me alone to pray for me.

You seem so holy,
so close to God…
But I'm still hungry…
and lonely…
and cold…
(And Homeless)

(Video of prayer produced by Oscar Butler)

[Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless provides critical services to over 7,000 men, women and children every year.

Abraham Placencio, a servant minister of the Secular Franciscans in Albuquerque, leads the outreach team at Hopeworks]