I participated in the Midnight Run conducted by SJU, which was a food and clothing distribution to help those in need. Most of my previous assumptions about homelessness were largely confirmed by this experience, particularly that those in need include all kinds of people—men and women, young and old, and different ethnicities and backgrounds.
What challenged me was my concern for providing help to the poor in a way that did not degrade or make the needy feel worse. I was worried about doing or saying something that might make them feel bad about accepting the food or clothing. In this regard, the passage “Forms of Nakedness” within Pope Francis’ The Corporal Works of Mercyseems relevant. It noted that those in need are subject to a type of “nakedness,” and the duty to clothe the naked includes the duty to restore their dignity (53).
During the charitable work, I also detected that, at times, I felt a little uneasy and unsettled. The following words from The Corporal Works of Mercyaddress this feeling, as follows: “We seek to hide the things that show our human misery” (88). In that writing, Pope Francis urges people not to turn away from those who need help because it is unpleasant to think about the less fortunate. I recall that people often do not help because they do not want to be reminded of things that they do not want to see. I got over initial feelings of uneasiness. However, it was occasionally still difficult to try to contribute to making a positive atmosphere when I was surrounded by a sad side of the world. I pushed negative thoughts aside, and my smiles were then met with smiles from those I was helping.
Overall, I found the experience enlightening and rewarding, especially when I watched a woman express great surprise and gratitude when she learned that we brought clothes as well as food. It was heartwarming to see how delighted she was. I was also struck by the degree of organization, effort, and unselfishness that was being provided. There were many volunteers actively involved in this work, and it went on very late into the evening. The kindness toward strangers, even if they may have been different and possibly dejected by some of society, bears similarity to the parable of the Good Samaritan in the Gospel of Luke. In the parable, the Samaritan took care of an injured traveler–a stranger–regardless of whom he may have been. It is a reflection of the Gospel writing that urges man to help his fellow man and not judge. It suggests extending love to everyone, without discrimination, and warns, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the volunteers at the Midnight Run seemed happy to help strangers, without judging them. Like the parable, no one was there considering race or religion. Compassion was offered blindly.
Some of the passages from Pope Francis’ The Corporal Works of Mercyalso relate to this charitable experience and resonated with me. One passage called “The Example of the Simple” emphasized that families should live by the rule that gives to the less fortunate, stating, “There’s always a plate and a bed for the one in need” (49). Another passage, “The Fast That the Lord Wants,” noted that men should not be hypocrites and ashamed of their fellow man (47). Like the Gospel story of the Good Samaritan, they should see all men as their brothers and as God’s creation (48). It suggests extending pure kindness, without consideration for what can be received in return. I felt that the volunteers at the Midnight Run were thoroughly engrossed in that spirit. They were warmly embracing their interactions with those who came for food or clothing. They did not look at them differently. They were not hypocrites. I was proud to be a part of their efforts!
Greta Jaye / Global Passport 