Venturing Into a Rough Neighborhood on Purpose

The phrase "the wrong side of the tracks" has historically been used to denigrate certain groups, almost always the poor and people of color. Still today some people will warn their friends and family to avoid certain neighborhoods. In this Sunday's sermon Fr. Garrett explains how Jesus intentionally spent time in a rough area, offering blessing and healing to an individual whom everyone else went to great lengths to avoid. God's blessings are intended especially for the benefit of those who many in "respectable" society would characterize as living on the wrong side of the tracks. What kinds of neighborhoods do you most often spend your time in and what people do you typically avoid? How would you respond if given the opportunity to bless another person, if that person was a bit scary to you?