A few years ago, while living away from my family, I had to share accommodation for a while with a work colleague. My colleague, Alberto, was an atheist. We would talk about sport, culture, religion etc. On a couple of occasions, I told him what my own conversion and encounter with God through Jesus had meant to me. He always thanked me politely, although he naturally remained faithful to his own convictions.

At the same time, I knew that living the Word of God meant loving this person in a practical way, so I began to take a genuine interest in his life, his family, the things he enjoyed and the things that annoyed or hurt him.

Seeing that Alberto was extremely busy, I offered to do more than my share of the cooking and even washed his clothes. He loved running and although it was far from being my favourite sport, I started going for runs with him so that I could share more deeply in his interests.

One day he invited me to go out with him in search of female company. I politely declined and explained that, for me, sex was something deeply meaningful. He looked at me with some surprise and said, “I need to think about what you’ve just told me.”

Eventually, our paths went in different directions.
Years later, we unexpectedly met again at an airport. We embraced and he said, “Do you know where I’ve just come from? A meeting. I’m the president of my parish council.”
I was astonished. I could hardly believe it.

Alberto went on, “Miguel, do you remember all those years ago when you cooked on the days it was my turn, or when you washed my clothes and went running with me? I used to watch you, and I could see that there was something within you—a light, a strength in your life that I didn’t have. That was what touched me. Little by little, it began to stir my heart and my mind.
“The result was a profound inner dialogue with God. I began reading the Gospel and gradually changed the way I lived. Then I was baptised and here I am: from atheist to President of the Parish Council.
“Thank you for those months when we lived together.”

M. N. – Messico
(source focolaresciudadnueva.com)

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