sheltering the homeless

The words of Matthew 25:35, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” marked the history of Israel. Sheltering the homeless is to welcome the stranger, because “The stranger who sojourns with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Lv 19:34). This stranger needs to be welcomed and treated with love; in the name of the God who loves him (Dt 10:18), and we should not hesitate to trouble our friends if we do not have the means to help an unexpected stranger (Lk 11:5). Christ himself approves of the care welcoming the stranger entails (Lk 7:44-46) and who, in turn, is welcomed into the home of the disciples of Emmaus who recognize him precisely in the breaking of the bread (Lk 24:13-33).

The Hindu mantras taken from the Taittiriya Upanishad, Shikshavalli I.20 says: Atithi Devo Bhava (Sanskrit: अतिथिदेवो भव; English: 'The guest is equivalent to God'). This Sanskrit verse, taken from the ancient Hindu scripture has become part of the "code of conduct" for the Indian Hindu society. In this regard, within Christian tradition, the Rule of St. Benedict particularly stands out. It calls to practice hospitality by being mindful of the fact that we should “Let all guests who arrive be received like Christ, for He is going to say ‘I came as a guest, and you received me’ (Matthew 25:35)” (53.1). 

The B.O.L. foundation will work closely with other NGO organizations to make provisions for sheltering the homeless and also accommodate them at the “Samaritan house” within the B.O.L. premises.