My purpose in these posts is to bring a variety of Christian and other writers in a desire to share significant writings that in my estimation contribute to the common good and directly or indirectly give glory to God and extend the Lord's work of salvation to all of humanity. G.S.
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A World Day of the Poor Story – The Joy of Encounters Given and Blessed by God
It happened at the Late Sunday Mass on the first World Day of the Poor, November 19th, 2017. Two weeks later, a Deacon wrote this note which in turn received the reply which follows from the Priest.
Note from the Deacon:
Reverend
Father,
Two
Sundays ago a crippled man entered after the last chance Mass had begun. He
attracted my attention because of his demeanour.
He
stood throughout most of the Mass. During the reception of Holy Communion
I do not think he received. When I returned to my place he stood a
little ways off from me. However, now he was in front of my line of sight and
was facing toward me.
At
the end of Mass, he stood with one hand on the horn of the bench where I was
kneeling down following your blessing. I stood as usual as you processed to the
confessional. I greeted you with my usual salutation, Praise be to God.
You
passed this man as you briefly spoke with someone you appeared to know. The
crippled man continued standing there awkwardly, and I resolved to bless
him seven times (within my heart). Upon opening my eyes, I reached out and
touched him with one finger on the hand, which continued resting on the horn of
the bench in front of the kneeler.
I
looked into his countenance and slowly he raised his head and faced toward me.
Then, I held my gaze with his for what seemed like a very long time. I felt it
was a great blessing for me.
I
do not remember getting up and passing by him to bow before the Lord before
taking my leave of the Church. However, on the return trip home I remained in a
state of sustained joy. Several days later, it was brought to my attention that
Sunday was the First World Day of the Poor.
An
afterthought was that this man did not seek or gesture for money or help. He
was just there. And it never entered my mind to offer him money. It was simply
an encounter in the Lord's temple. A profound one at that.
Do
you remember seeing the man I have described? Has he ever presented himself
before (I do not recall ever seeing him there)?
Response from the Priest:
Reverend
Deacon,
I believe that
was the same night when after hearing confessions I went to chat with a few people
who had waited for me. The poor man asked where he might use a phone to call
for a cab. I brought him over to folks waiting for me because I just knew they
would be willing to give him a lift, since they were going in his direction.
While we were talking about it a young woman came up and, having overheard,
said that she was going very near to where he lived and would be delighted to
give him a lift.
So that is how
it ended. Divine Providence arranged for that poor man to be a blessing to
many.
Pope Francis calls us by his words of encouragement and example to allow the Holy Spirit to open us up to such gratuitous encounters with Divine Mercy and Love, especially in those people we would not normally notice or from whom we would not normally expect much good.
That poor man manifested his great joy at being noticed, welcomed, valued, and helped. In turn, his gratitude became yet another blessing on all who witnessed these enconters. Where love is, God is.
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My purpose in these posts is to help spread the contributions of a variety of Christian and other writers in a desire to share significant writings that in my estimation contribute to the common good and directly or indirectly give glory to God and extend the Lord's work of salvation to all of humanity. G.S.
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© 2004-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal QC
© 2004-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
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