Matthew 25:35-36 reminds us that whatever is done for the person in need is actually done for Jesus. As we feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, visit the sick, or console the broken-hearted, we are not simply carrying out social acts of charity; we are encountering Christ Himself in the face of the poor and forgotten.
This passage often comes to mind when I think of my pastoral work with Povo da Rua here in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Every Saturday, I work together with other volunteers in Cozinha Solidária. Early in the morning, while getting ready, I remember: “Today is a day of blessings; today is a day of grace.” These words give me strength and joy to go to the solidarity kitchen and help in the preparation of food, then join the others for its distribution to those who live on the streets.
These are moments of service when I usually see small miracles, not about extraordinary signs, but about human tenderness and divine presence. Sometimes we give them a meal, and the person looks at us, saying, “You are not giving us food, you are giving us love. God bless you for your good works.” Those words go to my heart, remind me that what people hunger for is not only bread but love, dignity, and recognition. Many of the people we meet on the streets have been dealt a hard and unfair hand by life. More often than not, they are unloved, forgotten, and rejected by a world that seems to value possessions over people. Yet, even in their suffering, I see in them a light of faith, a longing for God, and a strength that humbles me. Their presence reminds me that Christ continues to walk among us, hidden in the poor and the marginalized.
It also makes me reflect on what is truly important in life. You can purchase tangible items to give to the poor-food, clothing, or other needs––but you cannot purchase the blessings and graces they give back to you. Gratitude, smiles, and especially their prayers are something that no dollar amount could buy. When people say, “God bless you,” it is as if heaven itself is uttering those words.
Every prayer they pray for me, every smile in the midst of hardships, stays in my heart forever. Through them, I have learned that service is not an obligation but a sacred encounter; it is not a task, but a gift. Every Saturday with Povo da Rua renews my faith and reminds me that the Kingdom of God is already among us revealed through acts of compassion, shared bread, and love that expects nothing in return.
Ultimately, it is we who receive more than we give. The poor evangelize us; they teach us to see with the eyes of Christ, to feel with the heart of God, and to love without measure.
Written by: Sch. Nelson Marques SJ