Advocates

One of the terms used for social workers who assist the homeless and those in need, is, “Advocate.” They are supposed to advocate, speak up for, the person in need. This is something God calls us all to, saying that we shall give voice to the needy and those seeking justice, a voice to the voiceless, speak up for those who are currently being wronged and to help them. I have written much previously on how we, as followers of God, must each answer this calling, otherwise how can we call ourselves followers of Him? We are our brothers’ keeper, we are called to help those in need.

Social Workers try so hard to advocate for those in need, calling agencies asking if resources are available, but so often they hear back, “No, sorry, nothing is available at this time.” and they hear it again and again throughout the months and years, there is no help available, the Section 8 Housing list is closed, there isn’t enough low income housing available. This tells us that calling other agencies isn’t enough, truly advocate for those in need, we need to go to City Counsel meetings, and call government officials, and demand that more low income housing be built, demand that the social assistance programs be expanded; in calling for these things, we become true advocates for those in need.

Of course we cannot rely on the government–as those who know me know, I am an Anarcho-Communist–we have to get up ourselves, and help. We need to open up our homes to those who have none:

He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two tunics should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.”

Luke 3:11

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 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, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Matthew 25:31-46

We are called to give voice to those who have none, to amplify their cry, make known their plight, and to help them ourselves in every way we can.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 31:8-9

We are called ourselves to do and to call for others and society to shelter the homeless, feed the hungry and thirsty, clothe those in need of clothing, comfort the sick and the imprisoned, give people fair wages (Leviticus 19:13, Deuteronomy 24:14-15, Malachi 3:5), and to treat the foreigner as the native born (Leviticus 19:33-34). As the hands, feet, mouth, eyes, and ears of The Body of Christ here on earth, we are called the answer their cries (prayers) for help, for food, water, shelter, and justice; we are called to hear their cries, see their plight, and speak up for them and help them.

Let’s be true Advocates for those in need!