Mary Poppins puts the children to bed the night before their big day with their father and teaches them to notice something on their way to the bank. There is an old woman who sits on the steps to the cathedral and cries out, “Feed the birds, toppence a bag.” For a minimal amount, she sells bread crumbs to feel hungry birds. Poppins sings a song about this woman and how the saints look down and smile when someone shows they care.
This presents one of the primary messages of the Church: feed the poor. Heaven is pleased when you do. The old waman sitting on the steps is also symbolic. In order to ascend to the House of God, His Kingdom, you must give to the poor.
Did not Jesus say so? “Don’t lay up treasure on earth. Lay up treasure in heaven.” How do you lay up treasure in heaven? Giving to the poor. In Matthew 6, Jesus clearly shows the person laying up treasure on earth as a non-follower of Christ and those laying up treasure in Heaven as true believers, full of light.
It is funny how we teach this as optional or suggestive in our American culture.
Michael is faced with the same dilemma many in the American Church face. He brings toppence of his own, willingly, to feed the birds. He is told by his father of a more sensible use of that money. At the bank, the financial authorities stoically try to convince young Michael that feeding the birds is throwing the money away. They have better investments that consist of expanding the British empire.
Michael is not convinced. His compassion and the teaching of Mary Poppins ring in his heart. He grabs his money from the hands of the bank and runs off because he wants to feed the birds. Chaos ensues at the bank.
There is no greater investment than giving to the poor. All other investments carry risk and are only temporary at best. You will not enjoy worldly investments in heaven, and if you are a follower of Christ, you will be there for eternity. Heavenly treasures are a sure thing, and you get to enjoy it for eternity. Any other investment is idiocy, comparitively. If the Church loved people, they would teach them about this type of investment.
But it takes a child-like faith to believe it. Those distracted by the world and “mature” in worldly ways will not see this. Unless you become like a child …
A quick note on Michael, the boy with the same name of the highest angel.. His name means, “who is like God?” … the answer? Those who give to others in need.
to be continued …. (last one tomorrow!)
Love it. I am encouraged and challenged by what you are seeing. Keep it up.