Franciscan Workers

The past two days I took a break. I went to Sacramento and stayed at a motel near the River Parkway Trail. I hiked the trail along the rivers, I went to the capitol, I simply rested.  It was a beautiful two days. I have felt exhausted and ill for several weeks and I needed a way from the day to day work of Polk Street.  It was great not to have to see anyone I knew, have to answer any questions. Great two days.  Below are my journal entries for Monday and Tuesday:

Monday: Numbers 11:4-15; Mt. 14:13-21

As usual as the new day begins there are people sleeping in the doorways. I feel sometimes like I am in a third world country, rather than in one of the richest cities, if not the richest in the United States.  People are shivering, they are grateful for my food and the socks, and the time.  The passage from Numbers is a reminder that nothing is ever good enough for the Hebrews, and the same it is with us. Nothing is ever good enough, not enough money, not enough food.  And so we let people go hungry and without so that we can have more. People often comment how little I seem to have, but I have more than enough, really more than enough, for so few have so little. And the reality is we can not take it with us. We need to live in the moment, enjoy each moment of life, and share with others.

Tuesday, August 4 Numbers 12:1-13; Mt. 14:22-36

I have had an awesome day, hiking, seeing the capitol, enjoying the river, just being alive in the moment. Moses is criticized and he becomes discouraged, and I understand. I think of my meal tomorrow night and there will be people who will criticized. It is not enough or they don’t like my cooking, same thing, for over ten years, no one is ever happy. I understand when I am gone they bitch as well.  Ultimately we have to satisfied with ourselves and trust in God.  Deo Gratis! Thanks be to God!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 at 5:15 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.