Living the Gospel: The Credibility of Love

The Word of life for this month is, “Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple, truly I tell you: none of these will lose their reward” (Mt 10:42). This is the mission to which each of us, just like the disciples, is called: to be credible witnesses of the Love of Christ, in the concrete gestures that are part of our daily lives; a circular Love, which you give with joy and are surprised when it returns abundantly.

New Car Accident
When I returned to the car park, I found that the new car that my father had lent me was scratched. What could I do? I felt bad because he would be upset and I started to think about how much it would cost to have it repaired. Then I noticed a small magnet on the dashboard holding this writing: “…cast all your worries onto Him because He cares for you”. I tried to do that. And I felt a sense of peace which is what I needed in order to try to figure out what to do. I was absorbed in these thoughts when there was a knock on the window. A lady wanted to talk to me. She was the one who had scraped the car and had left hoping to get away with it, but remorse made her come back. She gave me her phone number and agreed to look after the cost of getting the car repaired.  I was amazed and grateful. I told her how I had found peace reading that sentence on the dashboard. And she thoughtfully replied, “It was Him who brought me back.”
(Z.X. – Croatia)

The right place
When I was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, I realized that my medical competence would be put to the test there and at the same time I felt that that was “my” place. Up until then, I had not had the opportunity to work in such a department where every day, suffering appeared in the most tragic forms: people who had serious accidents, neurological problems… and they were often young people. I wasn’t sure I was up to it. However, the idea of putting myself at the service of Jesus who was present and identified with all those people gave me strength. He said “You did it to me”. After six months, the hospital management offered me the position of head of the department. The reasons for their choice included: my ability to integrate with colleagues, my attitude of calm and peace, and my professional behaviour. The next day in the chapel, I thanked Jesus: it was his words that made me be what others needed above all there, in that place.
(J.M. – Spain)

The exam
I was preparing for an important exam at university when a friend who was going through a difficult time with his girlfriend came to visit me. I welcomed him and while I was preparing a meal for him, we started talking. The thought of the exam was really on my mind but I tried to set it aside to concentrate on listening to my friend, who was so upset and sad that he did not realize that time was passing and it was time to go to bed. In the end, I offered him a bed for the night. It was really late and I couldn’t even think of opening a book. The next morning the alarm woke me up and a colleague reminded me that I had to turn up for the exam. Still half asleep, I quickly got ready to go out, while my friend continued to sleep. I never dreamt I would pass that exam! I was very happy. When I went back to my room, there was a note on the table: «I don’t know how to thank you. You showed me that I mean something. You gave me new strength. Like you, I want to be “completely there for others.”
(G.F. – Poland)

Curated by Maria Grazia Berretta

(taken from The Gospel of the Day, New Town, year IX – n.1° July-August 2023)