As part of my ‘reaching out to others’ every Tuesday evening I go out with the community of San Egido. We go around the busy places of Rome, looking for the homeless people. We give them snacks, hot milk/tea and cloths. We also spend a good deal of time talking to them. On January 8, 2013 was my first day of this year. I spent roughly two hours. What did I see! What did I experience! What did I feel! Let’s have a quick ‘flash back’!
At 8:45pm
We gathered in front of the Church of the St Mark. We divided us into different groups. I was with Fredrico, an Italian. I had been with Fredrico even before. He was driving the car and asked me to carefully look for person whom might need our help. Something beautiful to think that we seek for others to offer our help! Often in life, we approach others to seek help!
At 9:10 pm
We were in front of the Church of St Augustine. There were three persons. I knew two of them already. Let me tell about the third person, whom I met for the first time. As soon as he heard that I was from Bangladesh, he began to tell all the stories of Bangladesh. He was rather up-to-date about the current situation of my country. I asked him from where he got all the information. “Oh there are so many Bangladeshi on the street. I talk to them, ask them and get to know” he replied quickly. “You are great” I said. “We need to talk to people. Talk whatever you like and feel. Do not wait for any opportunity, occasion or reason to talk. There are many people who want to share their stories” he smiled and said. I was stunned. I stay in a community where we have people from almost 20 countries. But I hardly know about their countries or I would imagine any of my community members would know anything about my country too!
At 9:35pm
She has no one in this world. At this rather advanced stage of her life she sits quietly, gazing at the faces of people. We offered her a jacket as it was very cold. She said that she had enough cloths instead she asked us to take it to another person who would be needed it. But she accepted two oranges from us. She said, “These things you brought for me out of love. I accept your love. We should never deny love. Love others and be loved.”
At 9:50pm
We were in front of the Church of St Mary Minerva. We found Kashir there. Kashir is an Indian, belonging to Sikh religion. He hardly speaks any Italian. He has lost all his documents. Whatever money he gets from people, he spends them on eating and drinking. With my broken Hindi I managed to talk with him. At the end, I asked him to pray for us. He requested us to wait for a while. And he began to pray. The way he prayed showed me a great lesson. He was pleading God again and again for us.
At 10:10pm
We were in front of the Pantheon. There were two people. We met them before and we know they were friends. But today we found them in two different places. Both of them have taken place on the both sides of the main door of the Pantheon. When we were talking to one person the other was getting angry. He was calling us to go to him. When we went to him, first thing he asked if his enemy (was friend before) had told us anything against him. Oh what a life…friend becomes enemy and enemy becomes friend…the mystery of life never ending!
At 10:45pm
Another elderly man was sitting close to Pantheon. We met him before too. He always wears a smiling face and has word of appreciations for us. He always says, "be happy and be positive. In life, you never get answers of certain questions. Do not spend too much time thinking of them."We had quick chat with him and left some food.
At 10:55pm
I returned to my community. I went to the refectory to get some food for me. While eating alone, I reflected all the wonderful people I met over the two hours…they have, in many ways, unfolded the mystery of life to me.
