A man had just bought a hot dog from a street vendor on 42nd street in New York. It was a hot summer day, and he had the day off from work. As he was putting his change back from his purchase, a five-dollar bill dropped from his hand and the light breeze blew it away to land before a vagrant sitting on a piece or cardboard. He had no sign asking for help. His clothes, though worn, did not appear particularly dirty.
The vagrant picked up the bill just as the man walked over. ‘Hey, that’s mine!’ the man yelled at the vagrant. Their eyes met and the man’s anger vanished for a brief second. The deep brown eyes of the vagrant seemed to penetrate the man’s thought, but just for a second. ‘Can I have my bill back?’ the man asked.
The vagrant sat for a second looking at this man. ‘Would you offer some help to an old man?’ the vagrant asked. ‘Why would I do that? You probably would just buy some booze or drugs with it.’ The man stated with an edge of disgust. The vagrant began to stand as the man stepped back. He wasn’t much taller than the man, but his stature was straight and strong.
As people passed them, the man demanded the five dollars back. The vagrant held out the bill as the man grabbed it from him with a quick jerk of his hand. ‘There you go Mark; I hope it helps you in some way. ‘How did you know my name?’ the man asked. ‘I know quite a bit about you Mark.’ The vagrant said emphasizing the man’s name.
The man stood frozen in place. People pushed by as the two men continued to look at each other. ‘Shall we talk a bit?’ the vagrant asked. ‘The man, now known as Mark, turned away for a moment then began walking on. He stopped a few yards from the vagrant and turned around. Still holding the five-dollar bill in his hand, Mark looked back. The vagrant was speaking with an old woman who was nodding and smiling. She hugged him and walked on.
Mark decided out of curiosity to walk back to the vagrant. ‘I’m still confused on how you knew my first name.’ The vagrant smiled and said ‘Mark Webster, born on January 23rd, 1952.’ Mark was dumbfounded. He could not fathom the thought that a random street vagrant would know about him. He leaned up against the cold granite wall of the building. The vagrant then told him he knew everyone.
Mark stood when his mouth open. ‘I, I don’t understand. How can you know everyone?’ A couple passed by the vagrant and said hello to him, calling him Jesus but with the Spanish pronunciation of the name. the vagrant smiled and wished the couple well, addressing them by their names. Mark was so terribly confused.
‘Mark, your life has been a series of fits and starts. You have been trying to find your path in life, but it has been an elusive dream you seldom touched upon.’ Mark wanted to speak but had no words. A young man walked up to the vagrant Jesus and thanked him for his kind words and guidance. ‘You found your path, my son?’ the vagrant Jesus asked. ‘Oh yes, it was like the opportunities opened when I stopped fighting it. My eyes are wide open now!’ Jesus smiled and hugged the young man, whose name was John.
Mark watched as many people walked up the this seemingly inconsequential human and were happy and appreciative of seeing him. ‘Who are you?’ Mark asked. Jesus smiled and told him he is just an old man with a great amount of wisdom and curiosity. ‘I hold the soul of the world in my heart and every person is important to me, including you, Mark.’ There was silence between them for a while as Mark felt like he fell into a rabbit hole of lost reason.
Mark had no more words. He mumbled something about a meeting he needed to get to. Jesus knew it was a lie. ‘Okay young man. I hope your day is filled with potential and promise.’ Jesus offered. Mark turned and walked away, this time not stopping or turning back. The vagrant stood watching for a moment then began walking away. Mark turned a few moments later and notice for the first time that the vagrant was wearing an old robe tied at the waist. His long gray hair tired in a ponytail hung down to the middle of his back. Mark thought to himself, damn, Jesus does wear Birkenstocks!
End of Part One
The Journey of a thousand miles 