This morning I look down from our 10th floor apartment onto the entryway of the complex, set in a U shape. There are a number of tables set up flanking the walkway. Over the course of a half an hour people begin arriving, setting bags of indeterminate merchandise on the tables, then standing behind them. Uh-oh, I think, some kind of market gauntlet to run later when I want to get out. This is standard thinking for me - look for any possible bad in any situation.
After a bit a line of orange-robed monks begin to file out of the entrance and make their way down the line of tables. A group of men with a pile of black garbage bags accompany them. At each table the monks are given something - I surmise at this point that the items on the tables are the shrink-wrapped bags of food and toiletries that have been accumulating in the lobby of the building over the last week. Again, I assumed these were impulse sale items directed to the rich inhabitants of the condo. An annoyance for me, in other words, instead of a gift and a blessing for someone less fortunate. God forbid I should have something taken out of my overstuffed pocket and given to someone else.
Reminds me of the Biblical story where Jeebus was watching the activity around the offering box at the entrance to the temple. The wealthy would give large sums of money in a very public fashion, making sure everyone knew how much they were contributing and lingering so that everyone would know they were the donors. At one point a penniless woman sidles up and drops in her few pennies.
What do you think Jeebus's lesson was?
Anyway, the monks receive enough gifts to fill the back of a small pick-up truck. The pilgrims then kneel and face the monks who chant a small prayer before heading off.
What a nice way to start the New Year.
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