Mercy

Mercy is the foundation of our mission, something we received as a gift from a merciful God. If someone is an unbeliever, they have it inscribed in their conscience. Throughout my 5 years of working with people experiencing homelessness, the mercy guiding me has changed. Why? I used to think mercy was unchanging. Yet, I've come to realize that mercy must be wise.

Working with people experiencing homelessness is a mission of mercy. But this mercy will be shown to each recipient in a completely different way. Not because we have different standards for everyone. It is precisely so that everyone has equal opportunities, taking into account their history, current condition, predispositions, and limitations. Looking only at the regulations could harm someone if we only followed the letter of the law.

Despite his relapse in our House, Grzegorz was not required to undergo another inpatient therapy. We know he is very familiar with therapeutic tools. We know what triggered the situation where emotions and feelings took over and he relapsed. We know what strengthens his sobriety. Grzegorz loves to tinker. We want to create a "tinkering corner" for him in our basement. He is already working on the renovation of Saint Joseph's Room. Previously, he restored the cart for our House, and in the meantime, he is also renovating the gate. By fulfilling his passion, we strengthen his sobriety. This is therapy for him. Not for everyone.

Jarek, who was our resident, relapsed into drinking a few days after checking in. Considering all aspects known to us, further therapy would not have yielded new results. The House community welcomed him back. He had a chance to reacclimate among the residents. Unfortunately, after a few more days, he was intoxicated again. This time, he could only be readmitted to St. Lazarus House after completing inpatient therapy. Although we know this will not add much to his life, he must feel the consequences of his actions and have time for reflection. Unfortunately, he did not take advantage of this offer.

Przemek was a resident of the House of Saint Lazarus for a few months. An open, talkative man. He was communicative. In fact, one might have thought he was the life of the party. Something happened, though, because he relapsed into drinking. He really wanted to come back to us. He apologized. He begged us to take him back so he wouldn't have to go to therapy again. We didn't take him back. That is also mercy. Knowing his history, his way of life, and his predispositions, we knew that another therapy was necessary. He is capable of more. He is someone who can develop greatly and achieve much more.

Damian was lying in a vacant building in one of Poznań's abandoned properties. Along with a social worker, we called an ambulance. They took him to the hospital. We waited a long time (definitely over an hour) for someone to attend to him. Eventually, I asked for gloves, and I received a hazmat suit (it was the pandemic). The doctor couldn't examine him until he was cleaned. Damian was lying in his own feces and urine. I was given scissors to cut his clothes. A paramedic held a hose with water coming out of it. Washing this man made me gag. An unpleasant feeling. But I couldn't leave him like that. Once we washed him, Damian could be examined. The on-call doctor said he had severe hypothermia, that it was the last moment to save his life. I'm not sharing this to brag. But to emphasize what mercy is. What our mission is.

Mercy is difficult. It's obvious that mercy is showing someone help. But in some situations, mercy means not showing help, so that person fights harder for themselves. And that will strengthen them even more than showing help. It's important to show mercy. Not to abandon someone. To guide them. To hint. Let mercy become the passion of each of us.

Maciej Białka

President of the Do Good Spreads Foundation