IN THEORY:

State parks officials at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point have ordered faith-based charity organization Welcome INN to stop feeding the homeless in the park. The group, which was threatened with arrest, sued in federal court, saying its constitutional rights were violated. Should the charity be allowed to feed the homeless, or is the state’s rule reasonable?

Americans from President and Mrs. Bush to beloveds in our pews have decried the government of Myanmar/Burma refusing to permit us to supply life-saving assistance to those in need. One general said, “It is unimaginable that we not be allowed to help...” This is America at our best; we want to help those we can help.

“Public” means “in the service of, relating to, or affecting all the people; humanitarian.” All members of the public should implore public representatives to mandate public employees to encourage and enable members of the public who are blessed to be able to serve other members of the public who are in need in public places.

Some benefiting from this “feeding...in the park” have said that “it makes all the difference between eating and not eating.”

Jesus made crystal clear (Matthew 25:31-46) that we are to give food to those who are hungry. Imagine such a meal making “all the difference.”

(The Very Rev’d Canon) Peter D. Haynes

Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church

Corona del Mar

As always, the small issue points to the big one. And the issue is: And just where can hungry homeless people go? And what do we do with an increasing number of folks falling through the ever-widening gap between the haves and the have-nots?

Are we recycling another “Grapes of Wrath” experience? What is going on? I applaud all who see the issues and share their wealth to help those who need a hand. I applaud all of those who pray and spiritually commit their lives to being good Samaritans. And for those who are still self-absorbed and unaware, I applaud extra loud to wake you up and help you see that the purpose of life is to share God’s good, not horde it.

Pastor Jim Turrell

Center for Spiritual Discovery, Costa Mesa