28 March 2024
Torrents of rain continued up the East Coast and lingered over Long Island all day today. Sometimes stronger showers, sometimes cold drizzle but always weighing heavy, an impassible slow-moving storm system on this dragging day.
In the morning, by chance, I found a Holy Thursday celebration in Rome on Vatican Media. Pope Francis in Rome at a correction facility, Rebibbia Prison, and this year, he washed the feet of only women. The humility in his words and actions exemplified heartfelt service to be learned through His Example. To witness this, in a precarious world that we are witnessing today, brought me tears.
In 2021, during the winter of the pandemic, I met Maria. She was collecting bottles and cans for recycling in the neighborhood. We met, exchanged introductions and thus began a connection. Now, in 2024, I make it a point to call, reserve my cans and bottles for her biweekly pickup, along with any food or household items I may find during weekly shopping trips. She always stops by 1pm if she can make it. Today, I called in the morning to confirm her arrival. No answer. I left a few text messages, but no reply. The usual 1pm hour came and went, but no sign or return call from Maria. Then by about 1:40pm a message. “I am around…I’ll be there.”
By 2pm, I noticed someone at the door. Maria was standing at the front door, drenched from the rain rolling down her raincoat. She met me with a broad smile, seemingly without a concern or care in the world. “My car broke down. This is my son.” Next to her, a tall, lean adolescent boy, maybe about 14 or 15 years old with a gentle, kind gaze smiled at me. I extended my arms with a full bag of groceries and placed it in the young man’s grasp.
There he was, still smiling as he accepted the bag. Maria stood alongside him, very proud of the young man accompanying her, helping her maneuver this moment in their life, on this recreation of this Holy Thursday – the last visit of Jesus with His Disciples, in acceptance of both the positive and negative and appreciating life as it unfolds with smiles, kindness, and a gentleness that struck me as a level of spirituality that is rare these days. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God…” Matthew:5