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Prolog

Lukisan ini merupakan masterpiece dari Joey Velasco, religious artist di Philipina. Judulnya adalah “Hapag ng Pag-asa” (Table of Hope), menuangkan kembali  ”Last Supper,”  di sini Jesus mengadakan meja perjamuan dengan anak-anak jalanan yang kelaparan dan tersingkirkan. Narasi di bawah ini juga dibuat oleh Joey Velasco. Mungkin bagus untuk refleksi memasuki prapaska dan masa puasa.

POOR KIDS IN MY POCKET

I carry this picture in my pocket, no matter where I am, Jesus and poor kids are always in my midst.

This simple card is not a claim stub to withdraw some blessings in return. It is not a ticket to free me from guilt nor a good luck charm to protect me from harm.

It’s not even tag me as a man of charity for all the world to see. It’s simply an understanding between Jesus and me.

When I put my hand in my pocket to bring out my wallet, it is NOT  for alms-giving.

This picture just makes me remember that I must have a heart to share, that a part of me has to be offered in a simple service and deeds to the countless little children:

whose future is obscure, who suffer and shiver in the dark; whose voices are unheard; whose nightmares comes at daytime, and whose monsters are real.

It’s a symbol of my nearness to God.

So, I carry this little piece in my pocket, reminding no one but me, that I can give hope if only I CARE

-          J. Velasco

Epilog

Maraming salamat kepada Esperanza Magsino, classmate-ku seorang pencinta anak jalanan di Manila, yang menyisipkan kartu dan narasi ini sebelum kami berpisah.