Living out the words of Jesus

1.35pm I’m working in Reception at the London Jesus Centre, and our Drop-In is closed.

Two men arrive. A regular bringing his friend.

“Can I have some clothes?”

“Sorry, the session is finished.”

The request is timid: “Any water please?”

I come into focus and realise the man is thin, inadequately dressed for a cold June day. Trousers held together by string. Maybe Algerian, possibly an asylum seeker.

“Yes, of course you can have some water.”

And we have clothes, donated in abundance.

They take red crosses, and I reflect how good it is that the poor of London are wearing our colours.

They take their leave until tomorrow, and I see hope begin to appear in the new man’s eyes.

Such a privilege to live out the words of Jesus:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me…” (Matthew 25:35-36)