Consider the affluent few who expect their clergy, nonprofit, and education professionals to live in genteel poverty as a sign of their commitment to the cause. They follow Simon of Cyrene along the Via Dolorosa, workshopping his cross carrying technique and advising him of its grant potential. Heaven forbid he should balk at his burden. “You, sir,” they say, “should learn gratitude. And be more polite. People will judge our cause by your work.”
Every once in a while I like to stop Simon and sand off some of the splinters from the cross. I like to help when I can.