By Father Christopher Kubat
I am sure you have heard the saying, ‘If it isn’t one thing, it’s another,’ or, ‘If I didn’t have bad luck, I would not have any luck at all,’ or even, ‘When it rains, it pours.’ When a person uses one of these sayings they mean that they do not simply have one problem, but a slurry of them.
Occasionally, we run into clients who present to us a whole host of problems. Most people are able to navigate through one or a few problems, but there are those who are unable to do so when disaster strikes on many fronts.
Recently a middle-aged woman contacted us after a protracted hospitalization. After being discharged from the hospital, she felt reasonably well, but unfortunately was involved in an accident and suffered a long bone fracture. Then shortly afterward, her daughter sustained a serious fracture from a separate accident.
To make matters worse, her son lost his benefits because she missed an application deadline from being in the hospital. In catching up with these expenses, she was unable to pay her electric bill and turned to us for assistance. When she learned we could help her, she began to weep. It was then we learned she was also grieving from a recent death in her family.
Just days ago, I was on my way to donate a beautiful crucifix to the thrift store and I met another middle-aged woman who wanted to pray.
As we entered the chapel, she shared with me the problems she and her daughter were having. Instead of taking the crucifix to the thrift store, I asked her if she would like it for her home. As she held onto it tightly, she continued pouring out her heart to me in front of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. As she held onto the cross, she indicated her desire to change her behavior. After a prayer and a blessing, she went home to her daughter. She too has multiple problems.
There are many ways we help people and families, but at the heart of the solution is Jesus Christ. In addition to helping people and families from a social and clinical manner, they (like us) need Jesus. Ultimately, He is the answer, He is always the answer, He is the only answer to healing a broken and wounded heart.
I would like to thank all of our donors for helping us love Jesus Who lives in the poor and needy in a special manner. As we get closer to the Solemnity of Pentecost, let us be reminded that two of the fruits of the Holy Spirit are peace and joy.
Not peace and joy that the world offers, which come and go, but peace and joy that endure even during periods of earthly suffering. It is these fruits that help us carry our own crosses. As we follow the Good Shepherd by carrying our crosses, we will also follow Him to a share in His glory in Heaven.
Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Good Shepherd, have mercy on us!
