In our Lenten small faith sharing group last night we
discussed the concept of “vertical Eucharist” and “horizontal Eucharist”, vertical
being between us and God, horizontal between us and others here on earth. We thought
the vertical took place each Mass during the transubstantiation, when God comes
to us in physical form as the Body of Christ; and horizontal as the call for us
to take that grace received out to our fellow man and share the Word. Working at
Hope House feels like doing exactly that!
Until I have a day like today. My morning started before we
opened with having to call the police about two men who have been causing
repeated trouble here on the church property. Hearing one of them call me a “cold
hearted b****” and having the police trespass them from the property for life
did not feel like sharing the grace, needless to say. If this had not been the
3rd call to the police about these two, I would never have made the
decision to be so stern. I was literally begging the Holy Spirit to help.
Follow that up with a visit from a registered sex offender
showing up and having to tell him that he could not be on the property of our
church due to the school full of children. Even when I told him to send someone
in for what he needed, it felt like I was hoarding the grace and mercy of
Christ!
Then came “Kirk”, a longtime client who is very fragile
mentally, emotionally and physically. Over the years, we have helped him with
many things, boosted his spirits and even talked him through a possible
suicidal episode. Today he came in with
plans to move to Texas where he has family, and a card of thanks to Hope House for years of assistance and
support. We wish him well in his new life with his loved ones.
On Monday, TJ, another client we have been working with,
came up to me to let me know he has 35 days clean and sober. When I gave him a
hug, he said “thanks to Hope House for being here for me”. He is a delightful
young man when his demons are not driving him.
“Mary” and her two little boys are weeding, edging and
planting our front flower beds for us, because, as she says “Hope House has
helped us so much, we want to give back”.
So there is an upside to horizontal sharing of the Body of
Christ with the Body of
Christ!
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