At the last two “Celebration of Caring” banquets, we auctioned off dinners prepared by Lane Rosenberry, who is the corporate chef for Sysco, with Bishop James Conley, at his home. I am grateful to Scott and Jane Felber, Jim and Anne Larsen, Steve and Libby Jaros, and Ruby (Lane’s wife), for not only making this happen but for serving and cleaning up. Finally, I am grateful to Bishop Conley for gracing us with his presence and opening his home to us.
Because of a twinge of guilt for just showing up and eating the great food at these dinners, I offered to prepare a fancy meal for the entire crew (including Bishop Conley), which happened just days ago on a sunny Sunday afternoon at our St. Joseph Center located near downtown Lincoln.
Thanks to my assistant, Pat Walbrecht, my only job was preparing the main course, paella, which is considered by some the national dish of Spain.
In the midst of it all, a homeless man walked in on our ‘celebration.’ As we live in a fallen world and are all affected by the effects of Original Sin, the thought immediately came to mind in a split second was, ‘I need to get rid of this man,’ followed by, ‘No, I have to be nice to him, because Bishop Conley is watching!’
Thanks be to God, after dispelling those thoughts as quickly as they came, I greeted him. He immediately asked if we had any showers to clean up. I learned he was sleeping on the streets because of a drinking problem. I asked him to wait in our chapel while I looked for a sleeping bag. As it always happens, I returned to see his moist eyes filled with tears of joy as Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament had soothed his aching heart.
I pointed to the tabernacle and said, “Ultimately only Jesus, can help you overcome.”
Minutes later, I served him hors d’oeuvres, salad and a dish full of piping hot paella. He related his gratitude for the sleeping bag and said he couldn’t believe he was eating such a delicious meal. As he left, I informed him he was always welcome to spend time with Jesus in our St. Joseph Chapel.
It was Jesus present in the homeless man that visited us that sunny Sunday afternoon. It is for Him present in the poor that Catholic Social Services exists (Mt 25:31-46). Thanks to all of you for your spiritual and material support!
