Notes- 08.01.24

Late last winter I underwent spiritual direction from clergy/monastics in New Orleans. We began before the sun came up with prayers and then I had a bit of free time to walk around… and as I do, I took photos while I contemplated and put thoughts together to meet with the directors later in the morning.  I was walking around Jackson square when I saw an elderly lady sitting by herself on a bench in the park.  I took a photograph of her from a perspective that just had her head above the foreground. I thought the moment was whimsical and interesting.  As I usually do with photos such as these, I went and asked her permission to keep the photo and showed it to her… and she readily agreed. She asked if I had a few minutes to sit with her, and I obliged.  It turns out that she was a widow, and had just lost her last friend, so she was all alone.  She told me that she came out to the park to be around people and not feel so lonely.  We ended up talking for a good while, and at the end of our conversation, she thanked me for taking the time to sit and talk, and that she didn’t feel so lonely anymore, and that she had regained a bit of hope. She told me that me taking time for her meant more than I could ever know.  Now to be clear- I hadn’t wanted to talk to anyone, and wasn’t trying to start a conversation- I really had things to think about and when she asked me to sit down… I did a in my head eye roll- I had things to think about, and I had to prepare for my meeting with the brother, I didn’t have time for this.  And, in the first parts of the conversation, I was hoping it would end soon.  But Eloise (not her real name) reminded me of a very valuable thing… that human connection and compassion and kindness and a willingness to listen and minister to others is more valuable than money or time or whatever… that those things are essential to the human experience, and when people get isolated and alone, they lose hope, and can fall into despair,- and I felt guilt for trying to rush away… for not giving her my full attention… for wanting to be somewhere else.  The real irony in this is that I was more concerned with being able to answer the questions posed by my spiritual director than I was with ministering to another human… and I am thankful for Eloise for reminding me of the things our Lord desires from us… and the priorities of the things of God. And that taking time to show another human love and kindness and compassion has this weird way of healing not only the person who is lonely… but also the person who thinks they don’t have time to talk.  I kept the image of Eloise not only for the above reasons, but also as a reminder of the grace of Jesus that I received through that encounter. 
As you go through days, try and remember Eloise… try and be aware that many people feel like Eloise- lonely, isolated, friendless, and that no one cares about them.  Be intentional about being compassion and caring… and remember when you run across someone that is in her shoes… that you will receive as much or more than you give… and be reminded of what is important and what is not. In encounters such as these, you will find our Lord sitting along side you both… so be a blessing… and be blessed in the process. 
See you around the parish,
Jeff+