Homeless Jesus at St. Paul Westlake

BY RICK HAASE

WESTLAKE -- St. Paul Westlake is hosting a thought-provoking sculpture of "Homeless Jesus" during the months of June and July. The sculpture is owned by the Community West Foundation and was installed on our grounds Monday, June 3.

St. Paul Westlake Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Dr. David Buegler, sits on the Community West Foundation Board.

Each two months, a different west side church displays it for the community.

Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz created this depiction of our Lord in 2013. We should never forget that when Christ came down incarnate in His humanity He was essentially "homeless." He even said, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head." (Luke 9).

If you visit St. Paul Westlake, 27993 Detroit Road, one mile east of Crocker Park, you will see the nail marks. If you are strong enough, there is a place on the park bench for you to sit with Jesus.

The Community West Foundation is sharing the piece of art with west side churches so that they might be inspired to offer the love of Jesus to the "least of these" as Jesus urged us to do.

The sculpture is at St. Paul Westlake in support of Mary's Hunger Ministry, the Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries which operate Northeast Ohio's largest homeless shelter, and Building Hope in the City, as well as the annual St. Paul Westlake underwear drive and "Socks Plus" program.

St. Paul Westlake is living out the witness that the "Homeless Jesus" calls us to do.