a surrender - 20

(Continuing "a surrender," chapter four)

 

the anawim

"Hands against that wall, and spread your legs.” The officer began to pat me down, checking for concealed weapons. But I was still arguing heatedly with the seminary professor next to me. 

I had noticed the school just as the sun was setting. There was no one there, so I looked around, and then lay down on the covered sidewalk that surrounded the main building. I wanted a little shelter in case it rained that night, and it didn’t seem like I would bother anyone here. I was awakened after dark, though, when a car pulled into the parking lot. An older man got out, then a young man. It sounded like they had just stopped to pick up another car that had been left there. I always asked permission before sleeping on someone’s property, so I got up and waved to the two men and introduced myself. I explained I was walking long distance, on a kind of “faith walk,” and asked if it would be okay if I slept on the sidewalk beside the school. The older man said he was a professor at this seminary, and he quickly went inside. The young man was apparently a student. When the professor returned, he informed me that he had called the police, in accordance with school policy. 

While we waited for the police to arrive, the professor asked me about my “faith walk.” I explained that I had been inspired by the way Jesus lived, how he gave freely to people and trusted God to provide for all his needs. I said I had been walking for many months now, traveling for thousands of miles, without any money of my own and without asking anyone for anything more than water for my canteen. And occasionally I had asked to sleep on someone’s porch or sidewalk. “That’s all you carry?” he asked. My small “pilgrim” bag lay on the sidewalk, along with an Army surplus coat that I also used as a blanket. “Yes,” I said, “and my walking stick.” 

Then the professor started explaining to me that the way of life and teachings of Jesus that I was referring to were meant only for that time and place. That was “the time of Jesus.” The extreme teachings like not fighting back when you’re attacked, giving to whoever asks you, and selling all your possessions to follow Jesus were meant to make an impression, to catch people’s attention. Yes, Jesus and his first followers lived that way. But Jesus didn’t expect people to continue to live that way after he was gone. So I should settle down and get a job, he said. 

“But,” I replied, “Jesus said, ‘Follow me.’” 

That’s when the conversation started to get heated, and the patrol car pulled up. The officer had me put my things in the trunk, then frisked me, while we argued. As he was leading me to the car and opening the door to the back seat, I said to the professor, “Well, I’m sorry that you’re not living in the time of Jesus, but I am.” 

The car door slammed shut. As we pulled away, I noticed the student. He hadn’t said anything the whole time, just stared, with his mouth hanging open.

Continued...