Off-guard

We came with mops and rags.
Greenworks cleaner and Fabuloso solution.
Ready to give the new youth room a face-lift.

A few specks of dust lingered on the black couch.
A handsome white board was nailed to a wall.

Our four helpers were not as astonished as Oanh and I.
When Father Tân showed us the room a month ago, it was in major need of dusting, mopping, and re-arranging. I had told Father that Oanh will try to make it to the church last weekend to do some cleaning. The rest of us was out-of-town or had work obligations. She never did make it and so we were ready to pour sweat together make the room St. Peter's new home for our youth.

We did pour sweat.
Because the air-conditioning was switched off for roof repairs.
We moved an old Christmas tree, tables, and chairs.

Out of work in 30 minutes.
By chance?
By Father Tân.

I should not have been caught off-guard.
When I first met Father Tân, he was helping to empty trash at the parish's New Year Festival.
I didn't even realize he was the pastor.

He had probably asked someone to clean the room.
Or did it himself.

Off-guard kindness.
The best kind of guard.
The kind that lets generosity show God's face.

ps. Photo of Father Tân offering Mass. It is characteristic of his life, a priest's life, in which the person bows to God and God becomes revealed.

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