Persecution

Reverend John Carpetti hosts the “Street Evangelist” the latest craze to sweep the television. It features him and three other evangelists who hit the streets to preach the bible and put “wrongdoers” in their place. He is extremely excited as he is about to pick on the homeless. With a chuckle, he takes his bible and a camera crew.

“Let’s get em” he replies as they head to the city where the homeless hang out in droves. “There is one let’s go.” His camera crew falls in behind him.

“This is John Carpetti, and today on the Street Evangelist we are going to talk to the homeless and see what God’s word has to say to them.” Smelling victory John swoops in on a homeless man.

The homeless man is wearing camouflage pants, with a thin green jacket that says U.S Army on it. The clothes are dirty and in tatters, and the owner with his greasy, slimy, lice filled, uncombed hair is trying to move away from the man with the cameras. Unfortunately, a throng has developed due to the camera crew and the homeless man cannot getaway.

“Hello, I am Reverend John Carpetti the street evangelist. Who are you, sir?” He thrusts the microphone into the vagabond’s face.

“I am Stephen Johnson, get that mike out of my face.” Stephen tries in vain to getaway.

“Settle down, Stephen” he wrinkles his nose in disgust at the smell of urine, sweat, and the unwashed body of the homeless man. “I just want to address a few issues of the bible with you.” At the mention of the bible, Stephens's eyes brighten.

“The bible you say. Well now, let’s go evangelist, tell me all about the bible.”

“Well, I want to bring up Proverbs 10:4. “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.” Do you suppose that is why you are in the situation you are in? Maybe if you weren’t so lazy the Lord would bless you and you would have wealth?” John smiles at the camera and the acknowledgment of the crowd. Stephen whips out a rusty knife. The crowd screams and John jumps back in fear of his life.

“Maybe you should scan to the next page wherein Proverbs 10:31 says that “the mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.” Do you think the crowd will cheer if I do the Lord’s work and cut your perverse tongue out? Why do you attack the homeless? Am I lazy? NO! Not unless you call walking around from sun-up to sundown looking in all the garbages for something to eat lazily? Do you do that much walking, Mr. Evangelist? Have you fought for our country? I fought in the Vietnam war and what is my reward?” He motions to the garbage cans and the filth all around. “I fought for my country and because of the post-traumatic stress that ensued, I was deemed crazy. How easy is it to find a job after being deemed crazy? You haven’t answered any of my questions, John, I answered yours.” Roving, darting eyes burn into the evangelist's soul, finding none there they stare into his eyes. John shivers at the stare. He senses he is losing the crowd.

“In Proverbs 9 it states “honor the Lord with your wealth” what money are you bringing to him to honor him. Stephen laughs a guttural laugh, mocking and boastful.

“The scripture concludes with “with the firstfruits of all your crops.” My firstfruits is my love for God and that I read Every day. Do you really do that? Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees that the women who were poor that gave everything were giving more than the rich who were giving out of their surplus. Where does your money go when you get donations? To quote Jesus from Matthew 16:23, “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me.” Leave me alone now please, as I have to find food to eat.”

“Amen brother, Amen!” Came from an individual in the crowd. Like the red sea parted for the Israelites, the crowd too parted to let Stephen pass. John was left looking dumbfounded with the mike in his hands. The crowd left him to his misery no longer believing in anything John the “Street Evangelist had to say.