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Over the course of pandemic I have had the opportunity to connect with more members of the Street Community than I ever did before. This was partly because when I started using the office again, most of my colleagues were still working from home and most of our meetings were on zoom - for St John's, for the Diocese, for pretty much everything I was connected to. That meant I had more time around the grounds of the Church and would often find myself chatting to those who were sitting in the garden, or on Mason Street, many of whom had been moved on from Pandora Avenue a block away. 

They shared their stories, bummed smokes, and were, on the whole, friendly and engaging. I learned about the Street Community, listened to them, and was often surprised by their reflections, wisdom, and humour. 

I am in no way trying to romanticise Street Living, I heard also about the violence, the substance use, the mental health and trauma struggles that so many had. But in hearing the very human stories of the people who made a point of talking to me, and often still do, I saw something of what it means to learn to see Christ in other people - including, especially, those often considered the least or lowest in society.

 

Matthew 25:34-40

Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.