They came from different
states. They spanned a wide range of ages. Their backgrounds were
varied. But all who gathered for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's
2014 national assembly in Atlanta shared one common mission: to learn
how to better serve those who most need their help. More than 750
Vincentians -- the largest turnout in more than 13 years -- attended the
annual assembly coming from as far away as Puerto Rico. The Sept. 24-27
conference featured workshops, committee meetings and national and
local keynote speakers. Bill Bolling, executive director of the Atlanta
Community Food Bank, gave the keynote speech during lunch Sept. 27.
Since Bolling founded the food bank in 1979, the organization has grown
to distribute more than 35 million pounds of food and grocery products
each year through a network of 600 local and regional partner nonprofit
organizations that feed the hungry across the state. Bolling spoke of
the importance of the table, pointing out that even in the Bible, many
of the stories of Jesus take place around a table. Feeding those in need
is about more than just food, he said. "The table was the place to be
with people. For me, more important than doing for people was to be with
people," he said. "The idea of starting a food bank was to have more of
those tables -- more of those places where we would meet to be with
each other. To listen -- to really find out more deeply what those
issues were."
I am just beginning to dive into the beautiful, ancient devotion to the Five Wounds of Jesus, and I wanted to share a bit of the journey with you. It can feel a little overwhelming at first to look at the Crucifix this closely, but I’ve found such a gentle guide in St. Bernard of Clairvaux . In his Jubilee Rhythm on the Passion, Bernard doesn't treat the wounds of Jesus as distant historical facts or sights to be avoided. Instead, he approaches them with the tenderness of a friend, speaking directly to the feet, hands, side, and face of our Lord. For someone like me who is just starting out, his rhythm teaches that prayer isn't just about reciting words; it’s a holy hide-and-seek. Bernard invites us to literally hide ourselves within these wounds, seeing them as clefts in the rock where we can find shelter when our own lives feel turbulent or heavy. As I start this process, I’ve been practicing what I call gazing and greeting. Following Bernard’s lead, I look at the Crucifix an...