The king will answer [the righteous], “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40

THE man stood on a street corner at the edge of the city. He sold newspapers to drivers stopped at the light, hobbling from car to car, a crutch under one arm and newspapers under the other. He had only one leg, and some of his front teeth were missing.

At first I shrank in my seat as the man approached each driver to try to sell a paper. Ashamed of my fear, I decided to pray for him. And I began to buy a paper from him every Thursday on my way to visit my elderly friend.  After a few months, I missed three straight Thursdays. Overdue projects at work, a family crisis, and hacking bronchitis kept me from my visits. Finally back to my regular schedule, I reached his corner, where the light stopped me as usual. I gave the newspaper seller my dollar and told him of my recent woes. His face softened. He stuffed his papers under one arm and laid his hand on my arm. Then he said, “I pray you’ll be better soon.” I took in a big breath. I, who have enough teeth to eat a good meal and two whole legs to take me anywhere, received the gift of comfort in his prayer, simply offered before the light changed. Christ had a new face, and I rejoiced to see him on the roadside.

Dear God, open our eyes to your presence in places we least expect to see you. Amen.