How to Solve the Health Care Problem

John Allen writes:

In a similar vein, I asked myself this week what I would do if somebody offered me a blank check to spend on some project in American Catholicism. The more I think about it, the more my CJ-esque reply would be, “Hire a nurse for every parish in the country.”

As with African roads, parish nursing may not be the most glamorous idea around. But looking down the line it’s tough to imagine a step of greater practical value -- regardless of whatever Washington does or doesn’t do with health care reform.

Not just of practical value, but of evangelical value. His post reminded me of these two easy essays by Peter Maurin:

Feeding the Poor at a Sacrifice

In the first centuries

of Christianity

the hungry were fed

at a personal sacrifice,

the naked were clothed

at a personal sacrifice,

the homeless were sheltered

at personal sacrifice.

And because the poor

were fed, clothed and sheltered

at a personal sacrifice,

the pagans used to say

about the Christians

"See how they love each other."

In our own day

the poor are no longer

fed, clothed, sheltered

at a personal sacrifice,

but at the expense

of the taxpayers.

And because the poor 

are no longer

fed, clothed and sheltered

the pagans say about the Christians

"See how they pass the buck."

The Duty of Hospitality

People who are in need 

and are not afraid to beg 

give to people not in need 

the occasion to do good 

for goodness' sake.

Modern society calls the beggar 

bum and panhandler 

and gives him the bum's rush. 

But the Greeks used to say 

that people in need

are the ambassadors of the gods.

Although you may be called 

bums and panhandlers 

you are in fact

the Ambassadors of God.

As God's Ambassadors 

you should be given food, 

clothing and shelter 

by those who are able to give it.

Mahometan teachers tell us 

that God commands hospitality, 

and hospitality is still practiced 

in Mahometan countries.

But the duty of hospitality 

is neither taught nor practiced 

in Christian countries.

Nathan O'Halloran, SJ