by Greg Mies
Although I work in a place where people often come seeking peace, clarity and a renewed sense of God’s presence, I am often reminded that the Gospel is not encountered only in stillness. Often, it is found in everyday, humble places where love is quietly lived out.
Recently, I have been reflecting on two local consignment organizations in our community, both of which held their sales here at Savior in the past month.
For a time, our familiar spaces were transformed — our gymnasium filled with racks of gently used children’s and maternity clothing, tables of children’s goods and the steady rhythm of items being sorted and shared. At first glance, these events seem like simple consignment sales. But look a little closer, and you begin to see something much deeper: places of dignity, generosity and hope unfolding within our walls.
Both organizations serve families who may be navigating difficult circumstances, especially foster families and others who step forward to care for the most vulnerable. By offering affordable clothing and essentials, they ease financial burdens and provide a sense of normalcy during times that are often anything but. In doing so, these sales became quiet but powerful instruments of mercy, right here at Savior.
This work reflects the heart of Catholic social teaching, particularly our call to uphold the dignity of every human person and to show compassion for the poor and vulnerable. It also brings to mind the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40). During these sales at Savior, that Scripture was not just proclaimed, it was lived in a very real and tangible way.
What strikes me most is how these ministries invite all of us into participation. Some consigned items they no longer needed. Others organized and served. Still others came simply to shop, making a practical choice that also supported a greater good.
Each small act became part of something larger. It was a community woven together by caring for one another, all within the life of our diocese.
In a world that can sometimes feel divided or overwhelmed, these moments remind us that love is still very much at work, often in the most unassuming ways.
And perhaps that is the invitation for all of us: To recognize, support and participate in these everyday expressions of God’s grace, where what is gently used becomes a means of renewing hope.
