Recently while standing in our parking lot, I noticed a man who appeared to be in his 30s holding open the door for an elderly man who came for bread. ‘What a charitable thing to do,’ I thought.
Seconds later, the man informed me that he just arrived from a neighboring state.
“What brings you to Lincoln?” I asked. He replied in a humorous tone, “That’s what I have been asking myself!” He had the appearance of someone who has been sleeping outside.
“Are you staying at the homeless shelter?” I inquired.
“Father, to be honest, I am an alcoholic.” As many of you know, drinking is one of the no-no’s at any homeless shelter.
“Where are you sleeping at night?” I asked. He then pointed to a nearby bridge. I invited him inside and asked him to wait for me in our St. Joseph Chapel. I informed him Jesus was in the room. It was a day when we have exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
After returning with a nice sleeping bag with a water-proof storage bag, I noticed he had moist eyes and was visibly moved by Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. I told him he was welcome to visit our chapel anytime. It was then I noticed the bottle of whiskey hanging out of his pocket. After giving him his ‘new’ sleeping bag, he gave it a bear hug while kissing it. Giving a sleeping bag away may seem like a small gesture, but for someone on the street it’s a new home.
I informed him where in town he could find a meal, including our sack lunch program which runs Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. I told him to see us when the weather turns colder so we can give him a heavier winter coat, gloves, boots, hat and gloves. My prayer is that he grows closer to Jesus Christ, and gives up the bottle by His grace. Perhaps he will be open to counseling as well.
Please consider going through your closets for winter apparel, for it is not too early. It will only be a matter of weeks before freezing weather is upon us. Then, people like the man mentioned above, and families in need with children will come to us for winter apparel. Please say a prayer for this young man and all the other countless individuals and families that come to us on a daily basis in crisis. Please be assured of our prayers for you, your family and loved ones.
