Shelter from a Winter Storm

 

Debris was scattered around in the aftermath of a fire that broke out in a homeless encampment on Halifax Street, in Regina's Heritage neighborhood, on Tuesday night (December 13, 2022 Regina Fire)

Would-Be Followers of Jesus 

 Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.  A scribe then approached and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” And 

Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”      Matthew 8: 18-20 NRSVue

Well, I was out twice yesterday evening and again this morning to shovel the substantial accumulation of  wet, heavy snow on our driveway, walks, and decks. I also visited some of our bushes to remove the weight of snow which had them bowed down to the ground. Mission accomplished. 

The type of precipitation got me thinking about the people who "live rough" in many communities in this province. Here in Belleville they are under bridges and in wooded areas in a variety of places. Some are loners while others are in small encampments. This semi-feral existence is far from optimal but a better choice, at least in perception, because hostels are often fraught with difficulties for people who often struggle with interactions with others. During the pandemic there have also been issues of health safety. 

Living like this can be very dangerous. In Toronto there are scores and scores of encampment fires every year and some people die. Not long ago a propane tank exploded and a man was badly burned. When there is heavy snowfall tents collapse and hygiene is even more of an issue. 

Coincidentally, last night, December 15th, was the first of this season for the overnight warming centres in both Belleville, where we live, and Trenton, where we worship. The warming centre in Quinte West is in Trenton United Church and will be until mid-March.

 I'm so impressed that as well as being a host centre for this community outreach a number of members have attended training sessions as volunteers to welcome and support those who avail themselves of this warm, safe overnight space. They, with other community volunteers,  are decent, kind people who are often living out the convictions of their faith, Christian and otherwise. 

Once again, though, we are aware that warming centres and meal programs like the one Ruth volunteers for at Bridge St. UC, and even Grace Inn Shelter here in Belleville are not the solution for those who are living on the margins of society. Effective mental health programs, and a guaranteed livable income, and affordable housing need to become realities in our society.

 For those of us who have never found ourselves in these circumstances we can pray for grace and understanding. We forget that Jesus and his disciples "encamped" often as they lived a semi-feral life for periods of time. They had more in common with those who are often shunned by our society and Jesus warned those who would listen about the perils of being insulated by wealth and privelege. 

I think I'm done shovelling for today, but I can keep in heart and mind those who will be struggling in the aftermath of this snowfall and who desire a more stable, meaningful life. The passage above has the heading "Would-be followers of Jesus." Will we be?