Compassion

It's been several days since I have written. The devastation in Haiti has left me speechless. But today, remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I'd like to share something that happened the other day during "Tea Time" at The Welcome Center. For me, it was a true picture of compassion, the word that means "to suffer with."

We were gathered around an especially full table for tea. Ralph had a good donation day from ShopRite, so along with out tea we were treated to somebody's birthday cake with their misspelled name, a blueberry marble cake, donuts, and the soft philadelphia pretzels that Ralph gets from his cousin in South Philly. It had been cold and many of the folks with me that day were coming from their homes on the street, in the tunnels, and various other creative spots wher people "camped."

We were having tea and light conversation when one person asked, "What can we do about Haiti?" The conversation shifted to the people of this tiny country and the tragic earthquake.

What followed was one of the most compassionate discussions I have ever experienced. The men and women gathered around the table tried to think of what they might do to help. They connected especially around their experience of homelessness, not separating out the Americans from the Haitians in the midst of this horror, but really connecting in the suffering.

Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of us being woven into one web of humanity. Sister Mary Scullion, and the good people of Project H.O.M.E. say that "none of us is home until all of us are home."
For the Israelites, the concept of shalom meant that their could be no peace untill all were at peace; and St. paul talks about us being members of "one body."

I have shared with many the story of my friend, Linda. Linda had no feeling from the waist down, due to a terrible car accident. One day she fell out of her wheelcair at home. She was not in pain, so she didn't think much about the fall---that is, until an infection in her fractured leg almost cost Linda her life.

We are one body, and we must pay attention when any part is suffering. If we don't, it could cost us our lives. It is really that important.

So, with Martin and Sister Mary, with St. Paul and the saints of The Welcome Church, I pray that I may never stop feeling the pain of others, and that with the help of God, I might tend to the wounds in whatever way I can.

With gratitude for the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and all the prophets in our midst on this third anniversary of The WelcomeCenter,

violet