January 03, 2021
by Mary Sellars Malloy
Question of the Week - The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
Over thirty years ago, I had the blessing of serving as pastoral associate at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond, Virginia. A part of my ministry was to run the food pantry and oversee the parish's outreach ministries. One of the women we served, Charlotte, often came by to sit in the warmth of the parish hall and chat a bit.
One frigid winter in Richmond, Charlotte was turned away from the women's shelter because she had started an argument with another resident. With colder-than-ever temperatures predicted and nowhere to go, Charlotte came to see me. Recognizing the danger of her situation, I asked my husband Michael if we could take Charlotte in for the next couple of nights. He agreed to this, so I set a time to meet Charlotte to take her to our home.
When I met Charlotte, she carried a bag with some clothes and something long and bulky, wrapped in a bath towel. I could not imagine what that was, but this I knew. When Charlotte got into my car, that bulky object filled the air with a not-so-pleasant odor. I cracked my driver's side window in order to breathe.
Arriving at our home, Charlotte was greeted by our German shepherd, whose nose immediately went to the bulky, towel-wrapped object. Charlotte proudly unwrapped the gift, a length of ring bologna. Knowing that I had to receive that gift with graciousness and gratitude, I explained that I already had our dinner planned, and then I wrapped the bologna in wax paper and foil and placed it in our refrigerator for future use. Charlotte seemed pleased by this.
Thirty years later, I still reflect on the lesson Charlotte taught me. On this day, when we sing of the gifts brought by the Magi, I understand that Charlotte's gift was just as precious as gold, frankincense, and myrrh. It was a lavish gift for a homeless woman to offer, and she offered it with much gratitude and love. Charlotte herself was Christ-present-to-us, reminding us that everyone has a gift to offer, and our hearts must always be ready and open to receiving whatever that gift might be.
Mary Sellars Malloy has over forty years' experience as a Catholic educator and lay minister. She is a frequent workshop presenter on prayer, liturgy, spirituality, the Sacraments, and the RCIA. Also, Mary leads retreats and parish missions throughout the country. Her goal is to encourage Catholics of all ages to appreciate and to live their Catholic faith.