When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. Acts 3:3
“I am a rich man now — but I used to be a beggar, one of hte lowest of the low. You’ll wonder how things changed.
Well, one day I was out on the road and I saw coming towards me that strange bishop the King is so fond of. What was especially strange was that he had a horse. Generally he walked, or so I’d heard. And what a horse! A noble beast indeed, and all done up in gold and silver and fine leather. I thought. ‘What wouldn’t I give for a little bit of that horse’s harness!”
Religion had never done me any good; but I’d try anything once, so when I got level with the bishop I held out my hand and said, ‘Alms, for the love of God.’
He looked round as if thinking what could he give, and then he said, ‘Of course. Have this horse.’
‘What?’ I shrieked. ‘All of him?’
And then he smiled. ‘All four legs of him.’ he said: ‘and the trappings as well.’ I just stood there dumbfounded, and then he said, ‘take him, but remember this: the horse is a son of a mare, but you are a son of God.’ Then he walked on.
Since then, I’ve been rich, but I’m different in other ways too. I give to beggars — it’s great to have something to give. And I mean to learn more about this God whose son I am.”
The Beggar in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 498-499.
‘The horse is a son of a mare, but you are a son of God.’
What a powerful idea the bishop planted into the heart of the beggar to explore as a recipient of the bishop’s generosity. What if we gave alms likewise?
What if we gave generously to those in need and coupled it with truths like this one which would send the recipient on a journey of discovery for a lifetime?
The response of the bishop reminds me of Peter and John in the temple in today’s Scripture. They gave the man who sought help something bigger, that is, healing.
God, guide us so that when people in need seek something from us, to give them something bigger than will propel them on a journey of service to you. Amen.