Father Joel and I took the 9 pm to 11pm shift. We arrived at the building to relieve two young adults. Not long into our vigil, young man exited the liquor store across the street shouting at us, "Doesn't the bible say you're not to judge. That God doesn't judge." I thought of this statement as the night went on as you'll see.
A car pulled up across the street. Not so unusual. Just another patron of the liquor store. He's a pretty large man and he crossed the street in our direction. My first thought is, "This guy looks like an old AWA wrestling character. He came over, read our sign nodding his head. Then a kid came up beside me and asked if we really though fasting would end abortion. As a matter of fact we did. The kid was in a bad way and I could smell the liquor on him. He seemed really unhappy with his life. The kid was living in a bad neighborhood, had just gotten robbed and saw no hope in sight. Our giant friend talked about his family, how he overcame the bottle for 17 years, but now felt "free" to do whatever he liked. After a time the kid walked away. Yet we hope that despite our poor attempts to welcome him and offer hope, that God's grace will work on some small seed planted in his heart. His name is Charles. Pray for him. The giant also left shortly after and I suspect was not too pleased that the liquor store had closed while he talked to us.
Father and I continued to pray and reflect. Before long our giant friend, pulled up again. His name is Jim and he's from the range. He had just been robbed himself in what sounded like a failed attempt to obtain female companionship. We suggested that maybe he's going about it all the wrong way. He agreed. Then a homeless man walked by and Jim called him over. Jim gave him a cigarette as "Simon" explained he was staying out of "the long black train" or alleyways. Apparently his brother was recently jumped in an alley and remained in a coma. Vengeance was on Simon's heart as he walked away.
Our relief came at 11pm. As I reflect on this evening I'm struck by the contradiction. On one hand we have the characters who believe we stand on the sidewalk in judgement. On the other hand we have these troubled people who recognize truth and know that their lives stand in conflict with it. Yet, they come before us as if compelled to confess their hardships and trusting they will find mercy. They desire acceptance. Their sins are laid bare and they do not feel judged by us at all.
"Doesn't the bible say you're not to judge. That God doesn't judge." Isn't this the favorite quote of anyone in sin who doesn't want their sin recognized for what it is? And yet those same people stand in judgement of the worthiness of a human person to the point of death in the womb.
We are not on the sidewalk to stand in judgement of the individual persons, but we do recognize sin for what it is. We will pray against it. And we will pray for those unborn souls never given the chance to know our world. We will pray for the mother to be who feels lost or, at it's worst, is blinded to the reality what they're doing. We will pray for those who work in the clinic. And as important as all that, we stand as the face of Mercy for those on the street looking for acceptance.
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