Caritas Denver Reflection, Christ in the City 3/11/25

Being in Denver has opened my eyes in so many ways. On Monday we had training and a street tour. On Tuesday, we went out to our street assignments for the first time. In Matthew, the Lord tells us to be “poor in spirit” (Mt. 5:3). Though I have heard it listed in the beatitudes my whole life, I have never experienced a tangible way to be poor. These last two days, my eyes were opened to the poverty that is a reality for so many, so many that could just as easily be me. In my friends who live on 16th street in Denver, I have seen many parts of my own heart: many ways I lack trust and dependency on the Father, many ways I lack poverty where it is needed, and many ways I lean on my independence over my dependency on the Lord. We can learn many lessons from the poor like not to take our home for granted, not to take our friends and family for granted, and not to take all the free gifts from the Lord for granted. It can be easy to think we deserve what we have been given, to get caught in the lie that it is ours, but it is all free gift from the Lord. While the hardships are real, I was struck by the joy that is present in such circumstances. My friends on 16th have a beautiful hope and receptivity about them. Walking with my friends on 16th street showed me the reality of deep hurt in our humanity, where my own heart is poor, and where my heart could use much more poverty. 

Thanks!

Celi Chapman, Sophomore, Carroll College