The small gift we give is the key that opens the door to their heart.

Sunday, September 4, 2022

Temperature: 90 degrees

This day God gave us the privilege of serving 38 people.

Kenny

We cut down a side street to avoid traffic. Chatting as we drove, we almost missed him. He was an older man, tucked away in the corner of an empty lot. He was sitting on a rock, with his meager belongings around him.

Pulling in, we held out our packet of $10***cash, a Dunkin Donut gift certificate and a prayer card and asked, “Excuse me, could you use some help?” He stood to his feet with difficulty. Bent over, he slowly approached our truck. We extended our hands and introduced ourselves. Gently grasping our hand, he said, “Thank you so much. My name is Kenny. Someone stole all my things.” We gave him a packet of socks, underwear and toiletry items and chatted with him for a while. Clearly touched by our gifts, he went on to tell us that he was originally from Boston but moved to Brockton 23 years ago. Then, almost in a whisper, Kenny humbly told us, “God works for us in ways that only He knows. When you pray for help, you may not see it right away. My socks and underwear were stolen yesterday, but now God has sent you to replace all these things and even more!”* As we drove away we quietly pondered how God works. We thought we had cut down the side street to avoid traffic, but clearly God guides us. We were reminded of the prayer we offer before we head out on the streets, “God direct our path this day that we may bring your love to those you would have us meet.”

“God, who cannot be outdone in generosity, still uses you and me to help our brothers and sisters.”

Pope Francis

Robert

He was standing on the side of the road holding a sign that read, “My daughter died. I need money to get to Georgia.” We stopped and introduced ourselves. He told us his name was Robert and went on to say,“I’m trying to get enough money to go to Georgia for my daughter’s funeral. She’s going to be buried next week.”

Robert gave us a detailed explanation of how he learned about his daughter’s death from his sister. We gave him our packet of cash, a gift card for Dunkin Donuts and our card with the On the Street Prayer. As he read the prayer, I thought of the 4th verse:*“Your love comforts me in my loneliness and isolation.” Reaching into the glove compartment I found a My Brother’s Keeper crucifix. Handing it to him, I said, “Here’s one more gift for you Robert.” As he stared at the crucified Jesus, Robert’s eyes filled with tears. His parting words to us were,”Thank you, I really needed this.”* It’s at such times as these that we see our mission come to life:

“To make the love of God known, through word and deed”