I arrived at the station with an hour to kill before departing for Prague. After making a quick lunch in Volkspark, I set out towards the center of town to see what made Linz the favorite city of its least favorite son.

Soon after, I arrived at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, which towers above the city in all of its high-Gothic glory. With half an hour left before boarding time, I felt compelled to step inside.

Upon entering, I wandered around and admired the ceilings, the arches, the towering columns, the stained-glass. I took the obligatory photos, checked my phone, then turned to leave. Or so I thought.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a young woman hurrying towards me. As I stepped towards the door, she approached with a winced smile and spoke a wearied request:

“I need to buy milk for my baby and don’t have any money. No one will help me. Won’t you?”

Having experienced similar entreaties on the streets before, I hesitated, considered the ticking clock and offered several coins that were slipped behind the bills in my wallet. I had a bus to catch and didn’t have time to talk. I grabbed her hand, wished her the best and began to walk on.

Then, I was caught off guard. Instead of pocketing the change and turning towards another person, she looked me in the eyes and returned the coins that I offered just seconds before.

“That won’t buy milk for my baby. It’ll cost ten Euro at the pharmacy, at the very least.”

I invited the woman to step outside — to walk and talk. I was running late and didn’t have time. Really. The bus won’t wait.

“Won’t you help me, please?”, she begged.

“ How often do you ask people for money?”, I said, stepping towards the street corner.

“ Not often, but today is different. My baby is hungry.”

“ And how often do you step inside the church to ask people for help?”

“ Never.”

” Why did you do it today?”

“ I don’t know, I felt compelled to do it. I was desperate — really.”

Then, I understood. The pharmacy was only one street over, and the baby formula was on the second floor. I hurried with the woman towards DM and noted the clock, but didn’t worry about the passing time.

“What’s your name?”

“Jessica.”

“How did you know to ask me for money, Jessica?”

“ I don’t know, I just felt like you would give it to me.”

We found the formula, checked out and hurried towards the door. As I boarded the bus to travel on to Prague, she hurried home to feed a child that she loved.

We both left thankful.

Thankful that we felt compelled to act in ways that others might look down upon. Thankful that we felt compelled to step out in faith. Thankful that we felt compelled to heed the call.

Let us learn to hear with ears to hear, to see with eyes to see, to love with open hearts, to live with open hands, and please — let us learn to kill time in better ways.