“It is like an oasis in the middle of our busy lives where God is very easy to find.”
Reflections from Jesuit Novice Marco Antonio Machado
As a Jesuit Novice, we are sent to experience different ministries, and for me working at Harry Tompson Center is one of them. I did not know what to expect before working here. I knew I was going to do meaningful work. I knew I was going to provide a moment of dignity to the homeless by cleaning showers and helping translate with Spanish. I also knew that I would get to know the stories of people who came looking for help.
Just before starting to work at HTC, I continuously had in my mind a very particular Bible passage: Matthew 25: 31 – 46. In this very strong passage Jesus is talking about the final judgement, and He says: “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” I had the expectation that my weeks working here would be very demanding, and I would have to embrace my responsibilities like Jesus embraced his cross. I thought I would have to deal with insults, negative attitudes, very dirty showers, etc. My experience has been completely different. And don’t get me wrong, it is demanding and I finish tired every day, and sometimes I meet a person who is having a bad day. However, it has been an amazing and humbling experience where I find joy everyday by serving the least of my brothers. I always go home very satisfied knowing that I did something important for someone.
I thought that the most powerful experience for me would be to work as if I was working for Christ himself. In addition to that, I have found God also in another much stronger and subtle way. There is one person who comes every day. He is very loud but pleasant. His presence definitely lightens up the mood at The Rebuild Center. His name is Wayne. Seeing him speaking, helping others, and singing is one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced while serving others. His joy comes from within. During a recent outing at the annual French Quarter Festival, I noticed a group of young musicians in the street performing very lively music. And there he was, the loudest and happiest man who comes to the Rebuild Center for help, staring and enjoying the music in complete wonder. It was such a powerful experience for me. I did not expect to see him, especially being so quiet. He was enjoying the music so much. He was so quiet. It was definitely the strongest memory I have of my experience working here. I remembered immediately the passage of 1 Kings 19, 11 – 13 because I had an experience of God in a much-unexpected way. In this passage, Elijah was looking for God in the strong wind, the earthquake or the fire, but found Him in a tiny whispering sound. The same way, I found God in that peaceful image of Wayne relishing the music in the streets.
I have found God at every square foot of the Rebuild Center. I have found Him in by helping the least of my brothers (and sisters), I have found him in a quiet Wayne relishing music in the streets, and most definitely I have found Him in all the volunteers and staff of the Rebuild Center serving the least of my brothers and sisters. If you want to see the world being transformed, you should come and work for a few days in the Rebuild Center. It is like an oasis in the middle of our busy lives where God is very easy to find.
