July 2011, I went overseas for the first time. I wanted to get closer to Jesus and His Mother. I was traveling alone, I had just been to Fatima and Garabandal. I was on my way to Medjugorje, I was excited. I was going to where it is alleged Mary is appearing daily. My bus took me from Dubrovnik to Mostar. Arriving in Mostar at 11am I was told the next bus to Medjugorje doesn't leave until 5pm. 6 hours at a bus station after a night of sleeping in the streets of Dubrovnik. I just wanted to get to Medjugorje. It was Sunday and I had to leave first thing on the Tuesday, so I didn't have alot of time. I decided to catch a taxi. With my arms full with my bags, I was about to enter the taxi when a little girl of about 9 years old came running up to me. She was begging for money. This was not good timing, but how can I refuse her. I put aside my taxi fee, and I emptyed my purse and gave her all my remaining money. As soon as I did this, 2 other smaller children came running up begging for money. I am not customed to this. But I had no more money left. On my flight back home to Australia, I was reflecting on Fatima, Garabandal and Medjugorje. I was feeling great, and closer to Jesus and His mother. While reflecting, I remembered the children in Mostar who were begging. I was giving myself a pat on the back for giving them all my remaining money. Then all of a sudden, I had this horrible, sickly feeling come over me. The good Lord was opening my conscience. He showed me how I was in a rush to go to Medjugorje in search for His Mother. But I had not recognised Him and His Mother in those children. I felt terrible. I had 6 hours in Mostar if I had just waited for the bus. I should have helped those children more. All I did was give 'cheap charity'. Those children should have been playing, not begging for money. Were they being exploited? Were that in great need? I don't know. I didn't help them by finding out. I didn't recognise Jesus. He was there with His Mother. I left Him there to carry His cross with His Mother by His side.
I think you were very unselfish . Very few people would give their last cent and inconvenience themselves as such.May God bless you!
That is so true! Everyday we face those situations too, with our families, and those we work with, and all the people that God puts in our lives every day. Some are just passing, and all we can give them is a smile and greeting, some have a definate need, and ask us, and we give what we have, and some are those that it is easy to walk away from; usually our own family and relations, that we don't particularly like, and didn't ask for, and yet Jesus put them in our life for a reason. Some people are so busy looking to do big things for Jesus, and to serve Him, that they fail to see that just loving and being there for their families is the very thing He wants! Don't beat yourself up, you did what you could, and I'm sure you said a prayer for those children, which may have been the only prayer ever to be said for their souls, we really don't know. How wonderful that you had a chance to make that pilgrimage and see the apparition sites. Jesus was also calling you to do that, and made it possible for you to do it
When I said I emptied my purse and gave all I had. Ummm..... I don't want to decieve anyone. I'm not that good. I still had money in my bank account. I was on my way to Medj, so my thought was. I will withdraw some money when I get there. I actually mentioned in another thread what happened regarding my money when I got to Medjugorje. If you would like to hear it, tell me. As it is good for the soul too.
I think I remember --about your card not working. And the help you got. See how Jesus and Mary looked after you!
During the weekday mass. Recently a few times there has been this guy who walks in towards the end of the readings. Most people if late, sneak in at the back so no one notices. But this guy walks right up the very front. He obviously has mental issues. He doesn't really know what is going on (I think). i was moved for him. People are very much aware of him and probably think him as little scary. At communion time, he stood there to recieve the Eucharist. The priest appeared to ask him if he was Catholic. This guy recieved the Host, then looked rather lost by just standing there. i was thinking about when I didn't recognise Jesus in Mostar. I suddenly felt Jesus very much in this guy. i wanted to go up to him and talk to him. I was thinking.... "If I go up to him, everyone will see me do it. NO. I don't want people to see me." Then I thought... "Hopefully someone else will go and talk to him." No one else did. It is hard some times. We are told to be humble. If I go up to him, I know someone will praise my action. If I don't, I am not doing God's will. Decisions have to be made. Sometimes the environment isn't how we would like it. Jesus really is everywhere isn't He? i wonder how many times in just one day I don't recognise Jesus?
You know it's exactly in "those times" that the graces are poured out on us for moving with total disregard to self. For years I've called it "playing the clown", being the one to sacrifice face and move into an unknown territory because I felt I was being led to it. Looking back, every time without fail, I've been showered in graces because of my self-forgetfulness. It's scary territory but once you "hop the fence" you find it's really paradise!
It's surprising really how many eccentri people you meet in CHurch. Maybe there are eccentircs all over the place and because you have time to look around you and notice. The Eastern Church has a tradition of , 'Fool for Christ' which I like.
I also am in a place where I "see Jesus" daily! The office building where I work holds our County's Parole and Probation offices and Meeting Hall, and so I see some pretty scary characters hanging around the parking lot and halls daily. I always make it a point to smile and say hello, and try to treat them as though they were my neighbor as I walk by them. Sometimes they scowl, sometimes they are really friendly, but no matter. We always hear that we are to be Jesus hands and feet, and show His love. I usually say a Hail Mary for each too.
Just a thought....I often think people view me as eccentric because I may give more time to prayer in my Church than the average Catholic... I wonder if we met others from this site would we view each other as eccentric... I'd bet Jesus was viewed by many as eccentric in his day!.. just some of my musings
This is true how there seems to be people who are quite different to the norm in church. God's special people. Which makes you think..... What sort of people go to church? My family are quite different to the regular church goers. We are sporty, and at times we leave our brains in the car when we go to the footy. We like to have the social drink too. We seem to be the minority. It seems most of the people in our church are different to us (I THINK) There are the ones who are so devoted. Some go because of habit. There are those who come when life is terrible, so they call on the Lord. There are the ones who are so mixed up and totally lost. Is it because the so called 'normal' people are breezing through life? They feel as if they don't need God? Life is all about having fun and there is no time for God? But one thing is for sure. We all have one thing in common. We all take our sins in with us and offer them up. If our Church was built only for the 'good' or 'normal' people, there would be nobody there. Thank God the Church was built for people like me.
Jane, I too am living "in the world" and work full time (I have to as my husband left 15 years ago, and I am alone), I also am active in showing Newfoundland Dogs in conformation, a sport which has a very versitile bunch of people, including alot of gays. I have some very secular friends, many of whom call themselves Catholic, yet do not go to Church anymore or believe in the Catholic teachings. However, they are very respectful of me as I am of them, and I do pray for all of them everynight. I once asked Jesus if I should stop socializing with anyone that was not a devout Catholic, and He said these words to me "I do not put a light under a bushel basket, I put it on top of a stand, for it's light to shine for all" I took this to mean it was ok for me to have these friends. I do witness to them in a loving, and sometimes joking way, and since I wear my scapular with a crucifix those that are offended by my religion can stay clear.
Wow! this is a good thread,( wisdom pure wisdom). I too have struggled with these feelings and fear and apprehension of reaching out to "strange or odd" folks. It's so easy to forget the Lord's teachings to us on this. For me it's fear of being taken advantage of, or to have someone will become too dependent of me. I can only pray for Humility and Charity in great amounts.
We just don't recognise Jesus in each and every one of us. At times this can be extremely hard to do, because some people are rude or just get on your nerves. Yet we are one body in Christ. If we hurt a person verbally or physically, we might as well pick up the whip and scourge Jesus all over again. Today our Cardinal spoke in a negative way about Pope Benedict. He also had some criticisms for the outgoing Pope, saying that despite being a great theologian and a brilliant teacher, governance and government wasn’t his strong point. "He's got to know his theology, but I think I'd prefer... someone who can lead the church and pull it together a bit," Pell said. The Cardinal also criticised Benedict's retirement, saying it leaves future Pontiffs vulnerable. Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict is the leader of our Church. Jesus and our Church go hand in hand. I know I have been guilty of scourging Jesus all over again. What comes out of the mouth comes from the heart. Blessed is the pure in Heart, for they shall see God.
I would need to apply this in work,especially when I see collegues behaving badly towards each other instead if moaning & being judgemental I need to recognise God's wonderful grace of prayer & that he might be sending these people my way to pray for them. We are all sinners especially myself
We are all sinners. We can't escape that. But as hard as it might be, if we recognised Jesus in everyone, particually the ones we don't like, imagine how much nicer the world would be.
