It’s Saturday morning, and I woke up earlier than usual to go to Mass with the Archbishop down the street.
After Mass I moved over to a pew in front of the tabernacle to pray a Rosary before heading home. I was interrupted, however, by a priest who exposed the Blessed Sacrament and began leading the Rosary for everyone in the church – a nice little surprise for me, and I happily joined in with them.
I had my head down and eyes closed during this time, and about halfway through the prayers, I sensed someone was next to me. I lifted my head to see a homeless woman putting a bright pink velour jacket next to me. Thinking that maybe she was mentally ill and just being weird, I ignored the gesture and continued praying. Living in downtown Cincinnati, I pass plenty of “weird” homeless people on a daily basis and don’t think much about it. But as I actually thought about this woman, I realized that she was giving it to me.
A homeless woman. Giving me a sweatshirt. On the coldest morning yet this year.
We finished the Rosary, I said my final prayers and took the jacket back to this woman, who was sitting in the last pew. I tried to give it back, saying, “I cannot accept this from you.”
She replied, “No, no, I have plenty,” as she showed me a small grocery back with some clothes in it, “I’m warm enough. And it’s too small for me… it’s too young for me” (that last comment makes me chuckle).
What a humbling experience to know that I, who want for nothing, received a gift from someone who wants for almost everything.
I’m not sure if I will give this jacket away to someone else who needs it. Part of me wants to keep it (though hot pink is certainly not my style) because I need it, too. As Advent begins, I hope it will serve as a reminder to be generous and loving and kind to anyone who may cross my path.
