Those profoundly Catholic moments just keep coming!
It was Holy Week, 2012.
My health was deplorable, and despite the fact that I very much wanted to participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass every single day, particularly that week, the future was unpredictable and no plans could be guaranteed
in advance. In the event I would be able to make it to Holy Mass on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and on Easter Sunday, I was eager to have something nice to wear for the Lord, something different than the handful of dark outfits that are typically on perpetual rotation each week.
I used to wear a lovely pink jacket to Holy Mass, but on Good Friday two years before, the Lord placed small brown crosses on the front and on the sleeves. I don't buy new clothes very often, and every once in a while I would tease Him and ask, “When are you going to replace that pink jacket?”
The day before Holy Thursday, my children
and I ran an errand and happened to be by a small clothing store. The decision was made to dash in and see if by
chance I would find some new clothes in a hurry.
I wasn't overly optimistic, because the majority of women's clothes sold in stores is quite ugly and not worthy of our great dignity.
I wasn't overly optimistic, because the majority of women's clothes sold in stores is quite ugly and not worthy of our great dignity.
Lo and behold, jackets in various colors and similar in style to my original pink jacket hung on display. One of the colors was a striking blue, and another one was pink!
I tried them on but knew in my heart that the moment had arrived: the Lord was replacing that pink jacket! He was also providing me with several more, in various colors.
How much You love us and provide for us, most generous Father!
And so as a tribute to our loving and delightful God, I planned on wearing the new pink jacket on Good Friday, to commemorate the miracle granted two years prior, on the first Good Friday at our new parish.
But that's not the end of the story. The Lord asked me to wear the striking blue jacket during the Holy Thursday Sacrifice of the Mass. While I prefer wearing darker colors in church, especially during Holy Week, I did what the Lord requested without questioning Him, for once (smile).
Certainly, wearing that color on that day at that Holy Mass was not what I would have chosen to do. I knew the Lord wanted me to take photographs (with the pastor's permission) before and during the Holy Mass, and always make it a point to be as inconspicuous, reverent, and quiet as possible while doing so. I also knew that the blue jacket would attract unwanted attention because of its bright and unusual shade of blue.
Nevertheless, in obedience to the Lord's wishes, I wore the jacket that night.
Before Holy Mass began, I visited the restroom. The church was filling up with people and there was much activity outside the church doors. I was so happy to have made it to church that night!
In the bathroom I unexpectedly encountered a beautiful young girl. I had never seen her before, nor have I seen her since. There was something extraordinary about her which was immediately seen and also felt. She turned and smiled at me with such supernatural joy!
In the bathroom I unexpectedly encountered a beautiful young girl. I had never seen her before, nor have I seen her since. There was something extraordinary about her which was immediately seen and also felt. She turned and smiled at me with such supernatural joy!
Then, she began speaking, and she complimented me on
wearing such a beautiful blue jacket.
I knew without a doubt that the moment was supernatural; Lord was speaking to me through her, to show His appreciation because I had honored His request to wear it. At least three times, the young girl said how much she loved the color of the jacket and as joy radiated from her face, she repeatedly exclaimed how nice it looked on me.
The Lord's ways are mysterious indeed.
I knew without a doubt that the moment was supernatural; Lord was speaking to me through her, to show His appreciation because I had honored His request to wear it. At least three times, the young girl said how much she loved the color of the jacket and as joy radiated from her face, she repeatedly exclaimed how nice it looked on me.
The Lord's ways are mysterious indeed.
After that, the beautiful and joyful young girl and I met again by the sink and spoke a little more while washing our hands. Then, she headed toward the door and opened it, and before walking out, turned around
and made it a point to address me one last time. She smiled so pleasantly and peacefully, and then said goodbye. She was so full of joy it was contagious! It seemed as if I was absorbing the incredible goodness that came from her.
Truly, God extended His love to me through that little girl that night.
Truly, God extended His love to me through that little girl that night.
The Holy Mass of the Lord's Supper was extraordinarily beautiful, as are the images that were commissioned by God to be taken for you.
But that's not the end of the story, either.
When my daughter and I were reunited with my altar boy sons after Holy Mass, one of my sons told me right away what had happened during Holy Communion.
But that's not the end of the story, either.
When my daughter and I were reunited with my altar boy sons after Holy Mass, one of my sons told me right away what had happened during Holy Communion.
My daughter and I were seated toward the back of the church during Holy Mass. When we stood up and got in line to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, a boy seated very close to one of my sons way up in the front right side of the church spotted my blue jacket, and he began mocking me for wearing it.
My son was appalled as he listened to the boy speak that way to another boy, in church, during Holy Communion. The boy doing the mocking was unaware that my son was next to him and had to suffer through the injustice against his mother, who was so happy to have made it to Mass, served the Lord while there, and obeyed the Lord by wearing that very jacket.
While on our way home that night, I told my children about the encounter with the little girl before Holy Mass, and we contrasted her behavior with that of the boy in church.
My son was appalled as he listened to the boy speak that way to another boy, in church, during Holy Communion. The boy doing the mocking was unaware that my son was next to him and had to suffer through the injustice against his mother, who was so happy to have made it to Mass, served the Lord while there, and obeyed the Lord by wearing that very jacket.
While on our way home that night, I told my children about the encounter with the little girl before Holy Mass, and we contrasted her behavior with that of the boy in church.
What a fine lesson the events provided us that Holy Thursday. That night, I was praised and also mocked for obeying the Lord.
Isn't that always how it goes. When we serve the Lord, some people will love us and others will hate us. Some will support us and others will ridicule us.
Some choose to serve the Lord, while others choose to serve the devil. As a result, some are happy while others are not.
Has something like this ever happened to you?
May we always follow the Lord's Divine inspirations, strive to accomplish His will, live in imitation of Christ, remain mindful of His sacrifice for each one of us, and always respect the great dignity of others.
Isn't that always how it goes. When we serve the Lord, some people will love us and others will hate us. Some will support us and others will ridicule us.
Some choose to serve the Lord, while others choose to serve the devil. As a result, some are happy while others are not.
Has something like this ever happened to you?
May we always follow the Lord's Divine inspirations, strive to accomplish His will, live in imitation of Christ, remain mindful of His sacrifice for each one of us, and always respect the great dignity of others.
God is so in love with us! May we always allow God to use us as tremendous channels of His love, just like the beautiful little girl did that night.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg){kind=link}
How is God at work in you?
+ + +
Images taken at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Slovak Catholic Church,
Sterling Heights, Michigan, U.S.A., where the events in the story took place.