"The Least of These ..."

 I will tell you where we are/have been tomorrow, but for now, this photo of our view and a story about the church you see below ...

It's Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral, built in 1823.  As you may know, I'm Episcopal since 2007.  It's like Catholic Lite and one of the few politically left denominations left in America. (Although there are many famous Republicans that are Pisckies, usually moderates.)

Anyway, I have noticed during our stay that this church allows the homeless to sleep on their steps in sanctuary without chasing them away. 

They never leave trash. 

This will be important for later. 

In fact, the only time the reverend asks them to move slightly is right before church service, and as you can see, they simply move to the alley or to the actual sidewalk until service is over.

(In fact, if you look closely to the left of the church at the corner, you'll see one man literally sleeping on the sidewalk  until service is over. They sleep during the day when it's safer.)

And here I am, staying in this grand hotel that I got a great deal on, this weekend, looking down and feeling guilty - as I was once  temporarily "unhoused," shall we say, during the last recession.

So Mark and I bought them food and juice from the local market, explaining I was once where they are temporarily during the last recession, and to keep their chins up, keep hoping.

Then one of the guests started complaining to us in the parking garage about the homeless and I just listened and said "But it's sad, though, right?  More and more as this economy gets worse. Where are the shelters here?  I'm glad to see my church denomination allows them there, makes me proud."

She had also gone about immigrants and what not, and also about an event here that made national news, but when I said that, she shut up immediately, and we changed the subject.

Then this morning, I step outside to have my morning smoke and I'm watching the reverend himself cleaning up an unusual amount of  trash from in front of the church.

Not only was it unusual for the homeless I'd seen thus far to leave any trash at all (other than cardboard on the side of the church to use later for shelter), but the been piles of leftover trash from Saturday night was from upscale local restaurants and hotels. 

So obviously, this trash was NOT left by the homeless, because the logos were from places the homeless could never afford -  but why leave piles of it there, where the homeless slept?

Was this just coincidence, drunken tourists tossing their trash before going in to their hotel rooms - or were some trying to get the homeless blamed so they'd be removed? 

Makes ya wonder, right?

Regardless, after watching this reverend clean up the trash himself, in his collar and all, I felt compelled to go over and help him.

I explained that I was Episcopal, too, and how impressed I was with his allowance of the homeless to sleep in the doorways and alley and cleaning up the trash himself rather than sending someone else to do it, and then I proceeded to help him clean it up, for which he was so grateful 😊

He said, "Yeah, people complain, especially from the hotel you're in, but what I am supposed to do, set up signs to get out here? I won't do that."

I  said, "No, no ... they're the least of these, right?"

He paused and looked at me for a second, looking surprised by that reply and said "Yes, that's exactly right.  You get it. "

I said "I do. And truth be told, not terribly long ago, I was unhoused myself. It broadens your empathy because it's not just drunks, drug addicts and criminals that can end up unhoused, many Americans are just one paycheck away from it, especially when the economy is poor. I've been looking down here feeling guilty, in my swanky hotel, and then I saw you doing this yourself and had to come help.  God bless you for your compassion for the least of these."

He said "God bless you too, sister, thank you so much.  I'm Matt, what's your name?  I hope to see you again someday, you're always welcome in my church."

I said "I'll be back someday, I'm sure of it.  Take care, Reverend, blessings." 

It was nice to see that there are some Christians left who remember that Christianity is about stewardship and serving the least of these - NOT about demanding proper service, who are also apparently totally okay with our POTUS accepting $400-million planes as gifts from Qatar that our tax dollars will have to upkeep!

Matthew 25:40: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers, you did for me.'

I gotta say, I try to be kind to everyone, but rich white people and their rudeness and complaining are getting on my very last nerve.

I think the lady I mentioned earlier confused us with white suburban Trumpers, a common mistake.

This is perhaps the best hotel in this city, and considering the special deals they had this weekend, there's a mix of middle class/upper middle class like us and wealthy. 

Most people have been super friendly, even the super wealthy, but you do run into the occasional one-off snobs. You know, the type that literally look you up and down in the elevator like you're trash, because you're wearing  a North Face sweatshirt down to lobby to get coffee rather than Prada loungewear.  I usually can win them over with my sense of humor, though 😜

Mark always says "Why bother?" with those types, but I try to find the good in everyone first before I pronounce them a-holes. 😂

Except one instance Mark told me about this morning, the "suite people" were getting on the elevator in the lobby, seeing my husband carrying bags and boxes for breakfast and stuff from the market, and this a-hole hit the button right away to close it.

Mark literally had his arm already in, so his coffee went everywhere. 

And what does this rich white prick and his Bugatti-driving family do?

The man said "Now, look at that mess."

Mark's mouth dropped open, decided better of arguing with the wealthy a-hole, and just said "Gee, I wonder why ... " and then they rode up in silence after that.

See, had I been there, I would've had to say something in that case, when it's somebody else or that severe rudeness, like "Yes, I'm looking at a mess all right ... of a human being.  But have a good day anyway!"

I would prefer to hang out with the staff than rich white Trumpy people, I swear I would.  

They complain about everything and everyone, they're rude, they don't thank anyone, just expect, they barge in front of you on elevators or at the counter or bar, and then try to shut the doors before you get in. You can't benefit them in any way, so why be nice to you?

In fact, though we've hung out with a few fun couples during our trip, the front desk, restaurant staff, and bellhops us (mostly because of Ziggy) have actually asked us out to dinner with them upon our return, promising to take us to great dinners and great music next trip, because we're so "laid back/genuine/cool" they said 😂

I think Jesus preferred to hang with those society considered "lower class" and sinners too, didn't he? 

And truth be told, I usually get along better with people of color and different ethnicities than I do with other white people. Other white people are often too judgmental and worry about the pettiest stuff.  I try to remember what is a mountain to one person is a molehill to another and not judge, but sometimes I can't help but think "These are not real problems.  A little bit of gratitude might help" but I never say that!

People of other races, cultures, or who at some point have had to endure struggle are often less entitled, more humble, more genuine, and more fun! 😆

(In fact, there was an Indian wedding here, last night, very lavish, very beautiful, all the women floating out of their valet-parked lambhorginis, jaguars, mercedes, and range rovers, in their very beautiful, elaborate, and expensive wedding lehenghas and sarees (typically tailor-made specially for a wedding, even as guests), like beautiful butterflies!

And though clearly very wealthy, they were very cool -  they even invited us to the wedding! 

Of course, though I would've LOVED that, I LOVE Indian weddings, but we didn't go, it wasn't actually the bride or groom that invited us, we had nothing to wear and would feel like wedding crashers, but we could hear the music on the mezzanine and enjoyed chatting with them in the lobby and in the elevators at at the pool earlier in the day.

Having a great time!