The Man of the Basket
For a few days, I carried a basic food basket from the Institute in the trunk of my car, without a set destination.
I knew that, at some point, it would reach its true owner.
Without anxiety, I trusted that it would arrive in the right hands at the right moment.
During that time, I came across a few candidates, but they weren’t the ones.
Heavy rain, a full trunk, an unsafe place to stop the car alone.
For these people, my prayers remained.
I remember that when I needed to rent a house, I visited many. But when I found the right one, I knew immediately. I just had to look and think: “This is it.”
And so, I knew the same would happen for this basket.
He was the owner of the basket.
This week, around 6 a.m. on a normal day, I passed by a man with a cart, rummaging through the trash near my house.
I spoke with him briefly, a smiling, friendly man, God-fearing.
It was a basic food basket, quite abundant, but still, just a basket.
Now, however, we enter the philosophical/spiritual field.
An object is just an object. A package of food lasts only as long as it is consumed and does not change anyone’s social condition, only that moment.
But what do you think it meant for that man?
He, who probably woke up in the middle of the night to find his sustenance in the trash.
What was his prayer that day?
Could our “accidental” encounter have been some kind of answer or sign? A care, a message: “Rest in me”?
I am not a nihilist. On the contrary, I believe that every small path, every meeting and parting, has its purpose.
He Was Alone.
He was not in the middle of a crowd; he was alone. This basket was only for him.
I hope this basket brought some encouragement to this man, and I am grateful to those who contributed to this donation.
I share this small story so that you know that every generously donated package of food represents much more than that.
Hope.
Although the Institute is not a religious organization, our values are Christian, which gives me the freedom to say that I believe this delivery is an example of how God sees us, as unique and special individuals.
Sometimes we experience moments of apathy and despair and do not see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we are called by our name.
By the way, today is Easter, a date that represents the resurrection of our true hope.
What seems dead and finished can rise again, not as before, but superior and glorious.
Happy Easter to all!
James 1:27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress (…)”
If this reflection spoke to you, share it with your friends.
Carol Ribeiro.
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