Viola Athaide
Sep 28, 2021
In a mad dash to get to class on time
I stopped short, aghast,
in a drizzle of rain drops.
There lay a homeless person
asleep on a park bench
at the door of Regis College.
Usually, sad to say, the homeless
don’t draw our attention
against the backdrop of urban life.
This person seemed different somehow.
Call 911, or check it out?
Tiptoeing forward for a closer look
I met a life-sized bronze sculpture of
a blanket wrapped someone
whose covered face was an enigma.
As my gaze slipped down
the carefully crafted folds of grey,
I drew another gasp.
Could this be Jesus
with uncovered wounded feet
stretched sideways for all to see?
The space near his exposed feet
was an invitation to sit down
and meet the crucified Jesus
who healed the sick,
taught, and loved all to his death,
yet was rejected then, and now too.
Cars sped by, and cyclists pedalled fast
beside strolling pedestrians,
as I sat in the weak sunlight
filtering through my jumbled thoughts and emotions
grateful for mysterious moments
when a silent, stone statue seemed to breathe
new life into me.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The “Homeless Jesus” statue was created by Canadian sculptor
Timothy Schmalz in Toronto in 2013.
Now there are several around the world drawing attention to Matthew 25: 35-45.
Gemma Neal
Posted at 06:59h, 28 SeptemberThank you, Viola, for this really beautiful reflection
Ana Maria Rodriguez
Posted at 08:52h, 28 SeptemberViola, to find a homeless person, is always very touching and at the same time scaring…… How to help???? What to do????? What would Jesus do?????
It has become for me a permanent reflection…. This time it was a meaningful statue……
Thank you
Dee Sproule
Posted at 09:01h, 28 SeptemberThank you!
Sylvia Lee
Posted at 12:03h, 28 SeptemberThank you for your beautiful poem, Viola. It’s inspiring.
Hope the silent stone statue can breathe new life into every passer-by.
God bless you.
Peter Bisson
Posted at 14:05h, 28 SeptemberThank you Viola!
Maria Chrysant Susanto
Posted at 16:23h, 28 SeptemberThanks Viola for sharing the beautiful reflection. In Indonesia, for the 2021, we make collection every quarter and the theme is “ homeless Jesus
suzanne renaud
Posted at 17:30h, 28 SeptemberThank you for this beautiful poem and inspirational photo that is worth a thousand words and evoking so much emotion in me.
Sharon McDermott
Posted at 01:27h, 29 SeptemberHow thought provoking
Sharon McDermott
Posted at 01:28h, 29 SeptemberThank you for the beautiful thoughts
Teresa.correia
Posted at 06:26h, 29 SeptemberThank you Viola for this beautiful reflection.
Jacqui Hubbard
Posted at 06:36h, 29 SeptemberVery powerful.
Thank you for reminding us that Jesus lives among us.
“Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto me.”
Catherine von Zuben
Posted at 09:12h, 29 SeptemberThank you Viola for this thought filled contribution. It is beautifully expressed. I was present at Regis College the day Tim Schmaltz presented this work to the Jesuit College, and witnessed the blessing. Tim had offered his work to other institutions who were not willing to display it. What a pity or perhaps a blessing, because Regis received it. ! It is perfectly placed there at 100 Wellesley St. West where students from all U of T faculties pass and often take a rest. Again, thank you.
Ornella Vecchio
Posted at 11:32h, 29 SeptemberAlone. Abandoned. Forsaken. His crime? He healed the sick; he embraced the poor; he spoke of love, justice and mercy. He knows what suffering and feeling helpless means. We need only call on Him to find the strength and the grace we need to get through these difficult times. Thank you Viola for the reminder that His is among us always. Hugs
Christine Domingo
Posted at 12:41h, 29 SeptemberWow …how beautifully you bring this into perspective! “Be still and know that I am God” … whether it be in a beautifully crafted statue along the way, or walking past a homeless person too abashed to look one in the eye and ask for help. Thank you Viola.
Fay
Posted at 00:08h, 30 SeptemberViiola, You seem to be inspired by such little items others just take for granted and just pass by. Each submission of yours is so inspiring, and you express it so vividly.
God Bless you for noticing and sending out his message his wonderful creations bestowed on us .
Lillian M Phelan
Posted at 19:39h, 30 SeptemberThank you Viola. I am called to go deeper into soul making reading your words.