One day, I met a haggard man
On a busy downtown street.
“Got any change?
I’m trying to get something to eat.”
I walked right past him
As if he never existed,
And indeed, he did not;
My world was too important
For someone like him.

Another day, I found a soldier
Standing by a kettle,
His bell ringing gently in the air.
The man requested gifts and alms
To clothe the poor and heal the sick.
I walked on, thinking “What a waste of
Precious time and energy;
The world is too important
For someone like them.”

I slept last night and dreamed
I met the Lord while on my travels;
I offered Him the hospitality of my home,
But He looked at me and asked,
“Isn’t your world too important
For someone like Me?”

Today, I met a homeless man
Who said he’d had no food to eat.
I started to reach for my wallet,
But thought better of it;
Instead, we went to a nearby kitchen
Where I bought him lunch,
And we shared a meal together.
I felt blessed that in this man’s world,
I was important enough
For someone like him.