And how exactly is anyone to know who is mentally ill, on the street?
Dunno - there’s a couple of folks here in town - I always try to remember to be extra nice to them.
There was one in the next town over. It was a shame to see.
Nonetheless, people were still jerks to him. Haven’t seen that guy in years. Frankly, I doubt that he’s still alive.
I try to remind myself of this verse, especially around those folks:
Hebrews 13:1-2 New King James Version
Concluding Moral Directions
1 Let brotherly love continue.
2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
And these verses (it’s something I think of when I run across homeless people):
Luke 16:19-31
King James Version
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
If you’re well-acquainted with big city streets anywhere, it’s usually pretty easy to tell. And most streets or blocks have ‘regulars’. We have them even in the suburban neighborhoods, and everyone knows who they are.
(I can’t know, of course; but I can’t help but have the suspicion that Keonte had encountered this man before. I guess it will all come out in the wash, and a JURY will decide.)