Bulletin Q&A Article published 9-25-22:
I sometimes feel like a hypocrite. I pray that I will recognize Jesus in my fellow man but have no trouble passing by the hitchhiker or the panhandler. I feel danger in picking up a hitchhiker and figure the panhandler will go off and buy a bottle of booze. How should I respond in these situations?
Unfortunately, we sometimes have to balance our desire to practice charity, one of the theological virtues, with our need to practice prudence, one of the cardinal virtues. In our complicated times, it is not always easy to recognize Christ in our neighbor. It is not always clear what is the appropriate way to act. Sometimes we have to be creative. If you feel fearful of the hitchhiker who is standing by a disabled vehicle, maybe you can call the police for assistance, notify a tow truck, or offer to go pick up a gallon of gas. You can contribute to local shelters and food banks, or to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, and then refer the panhandler to them for assistance.
When we were in Bosnia on pilgrimage to Medjugorje, we were instructed to give our donations to the nuns at the church because they knew the ones truly in need. When someone approached us, we were simply to say: