Some gifts are hard to see The heart pumping blood throughout the body The liver…
A Time Divided: How I Live My Faith
I recall a story from a few weeks ago during one of our major distributions that truly opened my eyes to the realities of injustice. I work with Mercy Brown Bag Program which provides low-income seniors in Alameda County, California with fresh groceries twice a month. We are currently updating the recipient profiles for the new year. I was working with a gentleman of Asian descent who spoke no English, and I was asking him some questions with the help of our translated forms. With a big smile on his face, he realized what I was asking for, and he went into his bag and pulled out a paper. His hands were shaking uncontrollably. He handed me the paper which contained his social security statement for 2018. My heart sank as I read the notice that stated that his income had gone up 0.2% this year due to the rise in the cost of living. His new income is now $494/month. In Alameda County, $4,691/month is considered “low-income.”
I fought back tears as I reflected on how the systems have failed and how so many people are suffering. That was just one experience and one person from this year that I cannot unsee and cannot unmeet. In a time when the world is divided and so many people are being left behind, this year of service with MVC is what I can do to promote togetherness, solidarity, and peace. This is how I can live my faith.
Miranda Melone: San Francisco
Thanks, Miranda for sharing and being part of Mercy this year. We are blessed!