Something is Happening in Philadelphia

We make our way to the convention center, the city is full of people from all over the world and is taking on a life of its own.

We were warned to be extremely careful and aware of our surroundings at all times. To be cordial but not engaging; for our own safety. But the weather is beautiful, the sun is shining and all is right with the world. People are being kind, considerate and helpful. I think about the homeless girl sitting on the corner a few blocks away.

It was amazing the amount of people coming in to the convention center, all calm, happy and expectant. The lines ran smoothly and the volunteers were warm and inviting. My mind goes back to the girl of the corner. Who is being kind, warm or inviting to her? I am miffed at myself that I did not help her.

The first speaker is Bishop Robert Barron. He speaks about mankind being made in the image and likeness of God. The need to ponder this truth. To accept and realize that we were made with “free-will”; that God doesn’t need us to love Him but wants us to choose to love him.

He speaks about the fall and original sin. He speaks about satan tempting Eve into believing that God doesn’t want what is best for her and Adam. That he is somehow keeping them confined and limited by not allowing them to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. Isn’t that how satan is still tempting humanity today, that God doesn’t want what is best for us. That He is somehow confining and limiting us by not allowing us to express who we really are. To do what makes us happy.

I think, what would have made me happy, was to engage and give change to the homeless girl I made eye contact with. It’s that way, when the Lord wants to get my attention. I just can’t seem to let it go, mulling it over and over in my head until finally a decision to act is made.

When the talk is over, I look at my husband and say, “It really bothered me, not to help the homeless girl, what if that were our daughter and who are we to judge if she was truly homeless or scamming us? I need you to know that it doesn’t matter to me, if I feel the nudge to give to every homeless person I meet, I need to do it.”

I braced myself for his response, which was nothing I was expecting. He nodded in agreement and explained that he too could not get her out of his mind. The talk made him realize that we are called to choose to love and that our love for her could have been shown by putting money in her cup.

Something is happening in Philadelphia.