Christmas fare

I was in Dublin yesterday and had opportunity to see the throngs of people as they made their way, in and out of shops etc. I walked down Grafton street and admired the Samaritan people as they braved the cold, in support of the homeless.

Crossing O'Connell bridge I met the genuine homeless, sitting on the pavement, begging. I donated to some and passed by others. All I could do, without taking on the cares of the world, was to send each one a blessing.

Christ said, "The poor we will have with us, always."

He wasn't saying we shouldn't care, yet simply giving us a reminder of peoples' needs. Food and warmth is the basic need, and yet there is such a need for encouragement for all of us.

Christmas can be a time of loneliness for some, and hunger of body and of soul.

We can all give a little. If we don't have money we can give our time, to listen and care.

We can share a prayer. Whatever need we can meet, will mean so much to the receiver and the giver.