My Story

About ten years ago, I had an encounter that forever changed the way I look at the people I encounter in my day to day life. 

I had a midday court appearance at the Daley Center and decided to pop over to St. Peter’s for a quick confession and then dash back to my office to continue with my day. There was nothing unusual about the Confession.  The good Franciscan Father was kind and compassionate, listened attentively to my sins and for my penance asked me to take some time and “do something kind” for an individual.   I made my Act of Contrition, received Absolution and was off. 

As was my custom, I headed to Lower Wacker Drive to bypass the congestion of Loop traffic.  As I was getting ready to enter Lower Wacker, I observed a homeless man in a wheelchair with a sign at the entrance to Lower Wacker.  Great I thought, here is my opportunity to get my Penance out of the way.  I dug into my wallet for $20.00, thinking I was going to make this guy’s day.

As I slowed my car down, rolled down my window to hand him the money, our eyes met and I was instantly transformed. I had never seen eyes so piercing, yet so loving. The individual in the wheelchair smiled at me with a smile that spoke of love and of empathy.  Immediately I was overwhelmed by a sense of peace.  I experienced a calmness unlike anything I had experienced before.  All my worries, my drive to get back to the office, all of my worldly things that I so clung to were vanquished for a time.  I cannot tell you how long those eyes gazed upon me, how long that smile transformed me.  I cannot even remember whether I gave him the $20.00 or not. But what I do remember is on that early afternoon, at the entrance to Lower Wacker Drive, I encountered the person of Jesus, in that homeless man in a wheelchair who with loving gaze and smile did more than “something kind for me.”

Jesus on that afternoon showed me how it is that we are to encounter those we meet.He showed me that he is there in every person that we encounter if we only put aside “our expectations” “our biases” “our agendas”  If we only stop and look, listen and observe we will see Jesus in everyone and once we see Jesus in that person allow Jesus to speak to us through that person.

My Take Aways From This Encounter

1. Compassion and Openness:

• The encounter highlighted for me the importance of compassion and openness towards others, especially those seemingly different or marginalized. The initial intention of completing a penance shifted to a genuine connection with the man, demonstrating the power of moving beyond preconceived notions.

2. Recognizing the Divine in Others:

• The experience of encountering Jesus in the homeless man underscores the belief that the divine resides within all beings. The piercing yet loving eyes and transformative smile challenged my preconceived perspective, revealing the potential for sacredness in unexpected places.

3. Letting Go of Ego and Attachments:

• The encounter sparked a sense of peace and detachment from worldly concerns. It emphasizes the importance of letting go of egoistic desires and attachments, allowing for a deeper connection with the present moment and with others.

4. Active Listening and Observation:

• The story emphasizes the importance of active listening and observation in our interactions. By truly pausing and seeing the man, I experienced a profound shift in perspective. This taught me to be more present and receptive in our daily encounters.

5. The Power of a Smile:

• The simple act of smiling can have a profound impact on others. The man’s smile, radiating love and empathy, became a catalyst for my desire for a more complete transformation, highlighting the power of kindness and genuine connection.

6. Beyond Penance and Obligation:

• The initial motivation of completing a penance transformed into a deeper spiritual awakening for me. This helped teach me to move beyond external obligations and seek genuine connection and service, allowing my actions to be driven by love rather than duty.

7. Jesus as a Guide:

• The encounter serves as a reminder that Jesus can be my guide and teacher in everyday life, appearing in unexpected forms. It encouraged me to seek him not just in traditional religious settings but also in our interactions with others.

8. Overcoming Biases and Expectations:

• The story challenged me to overcome my biases and expectations when encountering others. By putting aside preconceived notions, hopefully I will open myself to the possibility of deeper connection and spiritual growth.

9. Transformation through Connection:

• The encounter demonstrates how connecting with others, especially those seemingly different, can lead to personal transformation. It encouraged me to engage with the world with an open heart, allowing me to be changed by the encounters I have.

10. The Universality of Love:

• Ultimately, the story reminds me that love is universal and transcends differences. The man’s loving gaze and smile bridged the gap between seemingly disparate worlds, highlighting the shared humanity that connects us all.

Sharing

Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples,”Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Post or your own story with your family, your friends and your acquaintences, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age