A man named Buford came to see me a few weeks ago. His need was great.
Buford was homeless. I remember his desperation as he told me how he had been
living in his car. He had been evicted by a girlfriend who had informally
agreed to live with him at her place. He was a bit embarrassed to discuss the story
thinking that perhaps I'd come to some kind of judgment of him. It's an awful
thing to be homeless; no place or space to call your own, or place to rest;
constantly afraid that a codes enforcement officer would come and say, you
cannot park here, or you must move. The nights are still chilling cold, even
with blankets in a car; then there is no place to shower...and that's a worse
thing not looking presentable especially if you have a small job.
I told Buford we would help him search out a place that fit his budget
and that we would help with a deposit. The deposit would have to be a modest
sum, nothing exorbitant. Finally, he asked me if I would fill his tank with gas
so he could keep his job. It cost maybe $40 to fill his tank. You see, if you
lose the job because you have no gas to drive there, add joblessness to
homelessness. How in the world can you recover from such odds? It is like a
death spiral out of which it is only the power God that can rescue you.
I said: “Buford, you’re in good company. Jesus was homeless – actually
born homeless; Jesus knew what it was like to be evicted out of his own town;
Jesus knew betrayal by someone so close.” I talked about John Chapter 6 and how the real presence of God was
in the tabernacles of every Catholic Church throughout the world. He was
fascinated that the self-imprisoned Lord of the universe in a tabernacle in
even the least ornate of catholic sanctuaries was possibly waiting for him.
Jesus was waiting for Buford so one day when asked: "When I was in prison
did you visit me?" Buford will be able to answer, "Yes, Lord."
Jesus might just be waiting for him; a physical personal Lord and savior. I
said, “Buford, go get the cobalt radiation therapy from God Himself.
"He emanates from that little box of gold or simple wood; you will sense
'peace'." Tears streamed down his face. Just what if a person is gifted
with the grace to believe the unbelievable; that a real humanly divine presence
is true and touchable in the form of consecrated bread? Just what if it was for
no other reason than that (1) God has the power to do it, past, present and
future; (2) it is fitting for the rest of the world to have the benefit of the
physical Christ ‘until the end of the age,’ (Matt 28:20) in the form of 'food' because He loved us so much to lower himself to this;
and (3) that when Jesus said, “This is my Body” the word “is” meant “is?"
Buford was mystified.
The next day, Buford came in bringing a lease agreement and we agreed
to pay the $275 deposit. But I asked Buford if he would do me a favor, “Buford,
if at all possible, when you get on your feet, can you possibly donate 1/2 of
what you have been given today? More tears. He said, “Gladly.” Three weeks later,
the girls in the front office told me Buford was back. He wanted to see me and
ask for more assistance again. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Las Cruces
has a policy of one time assistance. Although I am always ready to listen to
requests no matter what, assuming I don't have prior time commitments. Buford
is an impressive black gentleman but this time he has a big smile on his face.
He handed me a piece of paper. I am shocked. I am mystified. I am almost
smitten to the ground as I looked and saw it was a Cashier's check in the
amount of $1000.
Buford says, “I am on my feet again in more ways than dollars can
define. Deacon Baca, you have relieved more than my lack of a home; you have
relieved the stress that is self-imposed by the mistakes we make in life that
are blessings in disguise. You have taught me much." Formerly homeless
Buford restored three times what was parceled out in order to help someone else
in a similar situation. Once again Jesus multiplied the loaves and the fish.
Doesn't the scripture say: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow
me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for
years to come" (Psalm 23)? Indeed. I remain still mystified of the
blossoming effect possible from a mere mustard seed of authentic love. The Cup
of Life is full even when its half full or even empty. Emptiness is simply the
fact that the chalice of the heart has the potential to be full. Emptiness can
be a good thing as we anticipate whether or not we will let it be overcome with
creativity or destructivity. This is the nature of the free will we have been
given within the inner chambers of our cup of life.
Comments
Post a Comment