Follow Me

Details: 01 March 2013

Recently, a friend of mine in Milwaukee attended a parish mission and was told about a plumber named John who decided to book a flight to Calcutta, India to meet and work with Mother Teresa. Without having made any arrangements with the sisters, he left for India for a three-week stay.

After arriving at the motherhouse, he was greeted by one of the nuns who asked him what he wanted. "I’m here to meet and work with Mother Teresa!" he replied. "Mother Teresa is out of the country for six weeks!" she responded. She further explained it is necessary to call ahead to make arrangements to stay and work with the sisters.

Seeing the profound disappointment in his eyes, he was allowed to stay and immediately started putting his plumbing skills to work. Two weeks later, he heard a knock on the door of his bedroom. It was Mother Teresa. "Would you like to work with me today?" "Yes," he replied. He barely had time to put on his shoes as she said, "Follow me."

After walking awhile, he witnessed Mother Teresa kneeling under a bridge in the mud alongside a polluted waterway, in front of a dying man whose body was covered with infected foul-smelling ulcers and open wounds. After lifting the man’s head with her two hands she said, "Now pick him up, we’re taking him home." Not wanting to touch him, he pulled his sleeves over his hands as he picked up the emaciated man who was knocking on death’s door.

Once home she said, "Bathe him." Despite being even more repulsed, he bathed the dying man, but could no longer avoid touching him. Because of the man’s profound weakness, John had to cradle him in his arms to prevent him from sinking under the water. It was then, in a flash, that he saw the face of Jesus Christ. At that moment, Mother Teresa entered the room and asked, "You saw Him, didn’t you?" "Yes," he replied. "That happens a lot around here," She said. John now freely admits it was this experience that has forever changed his life. Did not Jesus Christ say, "As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me" (Mt 25:40)?

As you know, one does not need to fly to Calcutta to see Jesus in the poor and needy. Jesus lives in the poor and needy all over the world, including here in the Diocese of Lincoln.

Last Sunday evening at our annual Celebration of Caring Banquet, I was able to relate stories of the individuals and families we have touched. Because of the love of our donors for Jesus Christ, last year we were able to help nearly 30,000 individuals who were in need across the 24,000 square miles of our diocese. We are most grateful, as is Jesus who has told us explicitly that He lives in a special way in those in need. Those who personally get involved in one way or another like John in the story above are the ones whose lives change forever. This happens a lot around here, among our staff, volunteers and donors.

Please remember that we at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska will keep you and your family members in our prayers, for Jesus lives in all of you in a special way as well.