Reflections on NYC

From the artsy, cultured neighbourhoods of Brooklyn, to Harlem’s vibrant and lively African-American communities; from the hustle and bustle of midtown Manhattan, to the extravagance and opulence of the Upper East Side, for the past nine days we have explored (and tasted!) a good part of the city that has become immortalised in Western storytelling as a symbol of liberty, freedom, wealth and opportunity.

New York will remain etched in our memories as a city of extremes. For many their experience of life in the Big Apple does live up to its claims: the executives who walk briskly in their power suits with heads held high; small business owners armed with innovation, ideas and capital; those whose fortunes were seeded by the generations that came before.

Many, however, continue to experience the perils of urban poverty. You don’t have to walk far in New York before you are confronted with someone rattling a cup to collect some change. Many drag large bags behind them, filling them with recycling and rubbish for small reward. Others may be found in the city’s parks and public spaces asleep or with empty stares, their entire earthly possessions close at hand. For these, each day represents not a day of new opportunity, but rather a day to be survived.

We are reminded of Jesus’ insight that there will always be those among us – in our neighbourhoods, our cities, our nations – who are poor. Poverty defaces the image of God in men, women and children, leaving them with beaten souls lacking freedom and joy to live. Poverty is an assault to life as God intended. There will come a time when the sadness, scourge and scandal of poverty will be no more. Jesus has come to usher in God’s kingdom: reconciliation between God and humanity that makes it possible for humanity to love and value each other. He promises hope of a new heaven and a new earth where his vision of life lived fully and marked by love for God and each other is fully realised. In the meantime, we weave in and out of the lives of those for whom poverty is a close companion. Perhaps a colleague suffering emotional poverty for lack of friendship... Perhaps a homeless urban dweller lacking reliable access to food, shelter and basic hygiene... Perhaps a friend disconnected from life lived in the realisation that God loves them... Poverty comes in many shapes and sizes...

We have so many opportunities to channel hope to those who have very little – or none at all. May we choose to live our lives to the fullest extent possible, expressing love for God and for each other.