Weekly Reflection - 8/21/2023

Amy Nachman, Vestry Member

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25: 35-40

There is such need in our city, our country, our world, and it can be overwhelming trying to figure out how one can possibly make a difference in such a complicated quagmire of challenges. St. Mary’s helped crystallize my desires, others’ needs and how to navigate that connection. Whether it was delivering food to the homebound or attending Open Cathedral-the outdoor Eucharist held every Sunday at Civic Center. While at that outdoor service a down and out fellow kept staring at my showdog dalmatian, and I asked him how he was. He replied, “not too good, I am on my way to Walden House tomorrow to deal with an addiction, but whenever I get down I am going to think of your dog”, and then he smiled.

Or attending the memorial service with Deacon Tim and other parishioners, also at Civic Center, for all the homeless who had perished the past year. We held up signs with names on them, bells tolled, and a coffin with their bronzed shoes weaved through the solemn crowd.

And now, the Gubbio Project. I had visited them at St. Boniface after reading an SF Chronicle article. Pew after pew of sleeping homeless people - hundreds of them receiving their sacred sleep. I dropped off my blankets. Then a simple question to Nancy Clark while driving to deliver food, “Have you ever gone to the Gubbio Project?”. After hearing a fascinating history of how the name came about, I learned we had an enormous collection for Gubbio whose delivery had been delayed due to Covid. We’ve made many deliveries since then and are currently looking at ways to grow our participation with this important non profit.

Let St. Mary’s help you in your discernment on how to walk in Jesus’ footsteps and make the world a better place - one step at a time.

Amy Nachman,