The individuals who come to Cathedral Shelter are no different from those who enjoy the many privileges of life. They all began their lives with hopes and dreams like everyone. Most of our clients have had successful lives that included full participation in their family and community life. How suddenly life can change! One day one is employed, the next day the company is closed. One morning will greet the smiling faces of a loving family, the next day one’s family is devastated by a parent who cannot control buried rage and it erupts into abuse. Not one of us is insulated against the uncertainties of life; a life that can only promise that “change will occur”.

Because we all sense with our internal knowledge that we too are at risk in life, we often react to the loss experienced by others by attempting to assure ourselves that “this could never happen to me”. We distance ourselves and often blame the victim in an attempt to assure ourselves that we are safe. One frequently hears; “He should have been better at his job and then he would not have lost it.” or perhaps “She knew what he was like when she married him – what did she expect?” God wants more from us than that.

In our defensiveness we are often quick to judge others. We can easily “puff ourselves up” into a state of self-righteousness or self proclaimed superiority, not being interested in hearing another’s story or in being present with those facing difficult change. Pastoral care is set aside for the personal satisfaction one gets from getting ones judgment of another person’s life and actions “on record”. Christ warned the Pharisees specifically against behaving in this manner.

Cathedral Shelter, its staff, volunteers and supporters are privileged to be present with good people who suddenly find themselves in a place that they did not expect to be – good people who are just like you and me. At Cathedral Shelter we all strive to participate in the work that we have been called to do. Jesus proclaimed this call most succinctly at Nazareth at the beginning of his own ministry.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18–20)

Our prayer at Cathedral Shelter for the New Year is that many new friends will find it in their hearts to join in our pastoral care of the poorest of the poor, our brothers and sisters who are in every way just like all of us – good people who never expected to be here at Cathedral Shelter. Let us set aside our fear and judgment and proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. AMEN

— Reverend John (Jack) D. Seymour
Cathedral Shelter of Chicago Executive Director