“Jesus I trust in you” reminds me of the story Robert Kelly SJ relates in his book “Give God a Chance”.
An atheist who is a keen mountain climber is climbing a high and difficult peak. He is all alone, way up on the mountain height. He is crawling along a narrow ridge. He moves with great care as there is an immense drop over the side. Then, despite all his experience, his foot slips and he tumbles over the edge. A small tree is growing out of the wall of the cliff and as he falls he grabs a branch of the tree. Hanging there and peering down into the depths below, he has second thoughts about religion and cries out to God for help. The only answer to his cry is the echo of his own voice. He tries again, “Oh, God, help me and I will believe in you!” Again the only answer is an echo. He cries out again, “Please, God, help me. If you help me I will do anything you ask.” This time the silence is broken by a mighty voice booming out over the valley. The voice says, “That’s what they all say when they are in trouble.” The excited converted athiest shouts back, “No, God. I am different from the others. I really will do anything you ask.” “All right then”, answers the voice, “let go the branch!”
I attended midday Mass today, looking forward to celebrating the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
But it turned out to be a funeral Mass, celebrated by a Korean priest. The coffin was white. A young couple, weeping, gave testimonies in their own language. I didn’t understand a word. Neither did the rest of the english-speaking congregation. The entire Mass was spoken in the Korean language. The only words of english I picked up on was at the end when the couple came onto the altar once more at the end of Mass and the man, in tears, said: “Thank you for coming.”
Then they carried out the small white coffin. Their daughter was just five years old when she died. I didn’t get her name. I don’t know the circumstances of her death.
Please pray to the Heart of Jesus asking him to bring comfort to the mother and father of the little girl and the rest of their family. Thank you.
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“Jesus I trust in you” reminds me of the story Robert Kelly SJ relates in his book “Give God a Chance”.
ReplyDeleteAn atheist who is a keen mountain climber is climbing a high and difficult peak. He is all alone, way up on the mountain height. He is crawling along a narrow ridge. He moves with great care as there is an immense drop over the side. Then, despite all his experience, his foot slips and he tumbles over the edge. A small tree is growing out of the wall of the cliff and as he falls he grabs a branch of the tree. Hanging there and peering down into the depths below, he has second thoughts about religion and cries out to God for help. The only answer to his cry is the echo of his own voice. He tries again, “Oh, God, help me and I will believe in you!” Again the only answer is an echo. He cries out again, “Please, God, help me. If you help me I will do anything you ask.” This time the silence is broken by a mighty voice booming out over the valley. The voice says, “That’s what they all say when they are in trouble.” The excited converted athiest shouts back, “No, God. I am different from the others. I really will do anything you ask.” “All right then”, answers the voice, “let go the branch!”
I attended midday Mass today, looking forward to celebrating the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteBut it turned out to be a funeral Mass, celebrated by a Korean priest. The coffin was white. A young couple, weeping, gave testimonies in their own language. I didn’t understand a word. Neither did the rest of the english-speaking congregation. The entire Mass was spoken in the Korean language. The only words of english I picked up on was at the end when the couple came onto the altar once more at the end of Mass and the man, in tears, said: “Thank you for coming.”
Then they carried out the small white coffin. Their daughter was just five years old when she died. I didn’t get her name. I don’t know the circumstances of her death.
Please pray to the Heart of Jesus asking him to bring comfort to the mother and father of the little girl and the rest of their family. Thank you.
Happy Feast!
ReplyDelete