This post from Pastor Jude Sisneros is from April of 2016, but the message still rings true today! God Bless you Pastor for this very touching message.
So I went to Taco Bell to get a burrito.. A homeless man was being thrown out because he had the strong smell of urine, he smelled horrible, and the customers were yelling at him to get out.. He went outside, and I ordered my food and went outside to invite him to eat with me.., he came back in, and everybody started to yell at him again, but I told them he was my guest, and will be eating with me.. They were livid!! I didn’t care.. As I watched him eat.. You would of thought I bought him filet mignon.. This man was more excited about being able to speak to another person without being insulted, or screamed at.. He just wanted a kind voice and was happy to share his heart with me.. Something holy was happening around that table we ate at.. Something u don’t find in church sometimes.. Here was a man named Paul Davis.. Who had something to say.. He shared his heart, his pain.. Man he was hurting and his life was in shambles.. Inviting him to the table to eat sent a bigger message to him.. It told him .. He mattered..When u invite the hurting to your table.. It addresses the deeper issues of value and self worth .. Man I was humbled and broken to see the expressions on his face.. He was so hungry and yet not as hungry for food as he was for companionship, for a kind smile, for a friend..God’s secret weapon for the war on poverty is.. Your kitchen table, for acknowledgement, .. The common burrito to him was a banquet.. And to his lonely heart.. Was a kind voice.. Your hospitality can be their hospital.. I was able to pray for him, and encourage him.. And he gave his life to the lord.. Holiness through a burrito.. Long before there were churches, there were kitchen tables as reflected in Acts 2:46.. It’s easy to invite a friend to eat, but a stranger? Woe to us he judge instead of feed.. Jesus said in Luke 14:12-14″ when you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet invite the poor the crippled the lame the blind. And you will be blessed.. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous”. We had church in Taco Bell with a burrito and stinky homeless man that was so kind and gentle.. Man I’m broken !! He was happy to see someone look into his eyes instead of into their phones .. He was happy that someone gave him the time of day.. Instead of only taking the time to look up from their phones to insult him and tell him to get out.. One day I may see him again .. And I know he’s my brother, my friend.. Bottom line.. You never know whom you may be hosting for dinner.. Lord.. Every breath is a gift from your hand.. And I confess that sometimes my hand remains tightly closed when I encounter the needs of others .. Please Lord open both my hand and my heart that I might learn to open my door to others more often.. But even more lord , help me to open my life to those who need a taste of your love .. Amen
