When St. Paul wrote his letter to the church of Rome, he had never actually met the people of the Church, and the letter was his formal introduction of himself and his deepest desires for the community and the church of Jesus. In it he said, “We hope that all of creation will be set free and obtain the glory of the children of God.” 

This seems to me the deepest motivation and desire within the ministry of “The Church on the Street”. It is about hope, not in our own words and strength, but in the promise of Jesus who talked about a sower who scattered seeds letting them fall regardless of the soil: be it barren or “addicted” with weeds, thorns, or rocks. 

My time on the streets of the city with the homeless and those addicted has helped me think about this parable of Jesus differently. The seeds scattered had no choice where they landed. You can’t blame the seeds that represent the good news of hope that God brings to desperate hearts. Many people blame the people that are on the street, and say, “There but for the grace of God go I.” But I have come to realize many of the people who are homeless, addicted, or living lives we do not consider spiritual, are beautiful spiritual people who unable able to cope for one reason or the other. They long for someone to come and remind them they are loved by God. 

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There is good soil in every human heart, but it needs someone who will give hope that can last through the pain and trials. They need a friend in the midst of their darkness. A friend who will promise to stay and help them continue to hope when hope is almost extinguished. A friend who will say, “You are a good person, and I am here for you when you need me.” 

The first time I came across someone like this was a lady who was grieving the death of a close friend murdered on the street. She lamented beside one of the memorials that appear on the street after a violent death. It was about six years ago, and the memorial’s remnants remain visible painted on the shelter wall where the friend died. When I asked her how she is coping with the death, she looked at me and softly said, “Please pray for me. I used to have a vision for my future. I had plans for my life that I would grow up surrounded by friends, but now I feel I have no vision for the future, no hope.” 

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It reminded me of an old saying I once heard, “You can’t be optimistic with a misty optic.” 

This need for a friend was reinforced just a couple of weeks ago as I prayed for a homeless lady sitting in a doorway. As I finished my prayer, I looked in her eyes and said, “You are a good lady.” A sadness came over her face, and she looked deep into my eyes and said, “Could you tell me again that I am a good lady. I need to hear that.” Sometimes people get stuck believing God is disappointed with them. They believe this deeply because throughout their lives they have been told that they are not good enough. But as the old saying goes, “God does not make junk.” Contemplating Jesus on the Cross reminds us that we believe in a God who cares for us, a God who forgives us, a God who brings life and salvation. We believe in a God who brings hope, hope in the midst of a world where in the darkness of life we can always say, “I know my Saviour lives.”