Back in the days when San Diego had a stadium and a team to play in it, I
was new to the area and trying to make my mark in it, read survive with my
family. I was involved in a Bible study at ORW with Howard Hughes the owner,
and a few other businessmen. It was just after Christmas, and the topic of the
Super Bowl playing at Jack Murphy Stadium was discussed. With the leader, Don,
thoroughly disgusted with the local treatment of it, at least to the poor. To
make America’s Finest City appear as such, the homeless were pawns, moved and
hidden from public view, and those he worked with were suffering even more while
the rich got richer. Because he was known within downtown circles as a mover
and shaker, really a truth talking troublemaker, he was invited to the Mayor’s
Super Bowl breakfast. Big money, and big risks at stake, as the Super Bowl
brings in big bucks to the sponsoring city. And San Diego was ready, or so they
thought. They hadn’t dealt with Don.....
It upset him so that he used his political connections to lease for a
nominal sum, a major hall in Balboa Park to show the Super Bowl on TV. For free
to the homeless and downtrodden, and those moved by A’sFC for political
purposes. Setting up 28 foot screens, he invited everyone, and fed over 3000
people a spaghetti dinner made from scratch. Which my family and I attended,
meeting many who were on the street, some new in town and lonely, and some just
trying to get by. A room of hookers, bikes, junkies, homeless, vagrants,
pushers, and all colors, red and yellow black and white. All precious in God’s
sight, and we had a blast! My young sons playing with homeless kids, and eating
with a guy from Texas living in his car, unable to find work. I guess a license
plate number is not an address. Somehow Don had pulled it off, and somehow no
one was arrested, no police presence, and all had a good time. It seems
homeless people like football too, they like spaghetti, they like a safe
environment, and they like to be loved. Not my first Super Bowl dinner, but the
one I remember best. A Super Bowl Sunday I know Jesus would have
attended......
When Matthew met Jesus he was hiding in a tree. Being a tax collector he
was among the most hated in society, yet Jesus sees him, and calls him down, and
into ministry. No seminary, no license to preach, no denominational backing,
just get down here and start a new life. So he did, and Jesus even attended the
farewell party for him. Imagine all the other tax collectors, all their peer
group, other social outcasts, sinners, homeless, all right in front of God and
everybody. Wine and beer flowing freely, and there the Pharisees found Jesus.
We are never told if they were invited or were just curious, or even wondering
how they missed being invited, but they used the opportunity to chastise Jesus.
This man who represents God creating scandal, and from all indications it was
obvious he was their friend. So being the caring men they are, they approach
the disciples, avoiding Jesus. “Doesn’t he know who these people are? Doesn’t
he know what he is doing? Doesn’t he care what people might think?”
So ever the truth teller, and master negotiator, Jesus agrees with them.
These are the lowest in society, the scum of the earth. They are leading
immoral lives, and are filled with evil. The are mentally, physically, and
spiritually sick. But where else would you put a doctor except for where people
are sick? Reminding them he came to call the sinners, not the righteous. He
had called out the self righteous Pharisees, ministered to the sick and hurting,
and no preaching, no collection plate passed, and all were welcome. For all
suffer from the disease of sin....he reminded them that people are more
important than prejudice, how the sick need a physician, and how foolish a
righteous attitude can be, when revealed to God and his standards. The sick
knew they were sick, they had no illusions about themselves. Do you? Whose
table would you be found at? And would you be welcomed, or even
welcoming?
It took God years later to remind me, on a trip to Ogden, Utah, deep in LDS
country on my way to a Christian rally to see his point. With not a cloud in
sight, nor an exit, it started to pour, and I got mad. “God what are you
thinking putting a Christian rally in the heart of LDS land? What’s going on?”
And his answer, was the same as Jesus to the Pharisees, “can you think of a
better place to build a hospital than where people are sick and dying?” You
see, we all have a bit of the Pharisees in us, at the first dinner spoke of that
Jesus attended, he made it clear why he was here. Would Jesus be found at your
dinner table, would he even be welcomed? What if he asked to bring a friend?
What if you were that friend? At the Last Supper Jesus asked “to do this in
remembrance of me.” I wonder how many remembered that night with Matthew and
his friends? Better yet, what do you remember?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com