Have you ever stopped to think—when was the last time you truly encountered someone in need? We may say we support the poor, or care about those who are struggling… but support from a distance is different than standing face to face. As Dale Carnegie once said, "The sweetest sound to someone’s ears is the sound of their own name." It’s a reminder that at the heart of every person—regardless of what they have or don’t have—is the desire to be seen.

In today’s episode, we explore the sacred act of encounter—what it means to move beyond service into real presence. Because the truth is, everyone needs something. And sometimes, the people who seem the strongest on the outside are the ones quietly hoping to be noticed, to be heard, or to be healed.

Today, Father Pat McGrath offers a powerful reflection on the dignity we owe one another—not just through our actions, but through our relationships. Because in true encounter, we don’t simply offer help—we honor the soul standing before us.