October 8th

“When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’” Matthew 9:11

we open the envelope
and cannot wait to tell
everyone we know that
we have received VIP tickets
to the concert considered
the best in all the eras of time.
we put on our black-tie gear
and the brand-new evening gown
and are delighted to discover
we are seated with the CEO
and entourage at the banquet.
we walk the privileged streets,
live in privileged homes and
drive privileged vehicles, and
never seem to hear that
whispered question—
‘why aren’t YOU eating
with the forgotten,
the vulnerable,
the despised?’

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman