Homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031723.cfm
This evening we are going to Reflect on the Scripture readings for 3/24/2023 with the short story Martin the Cobbler written by Leo Tolstoy in 1885.
Martin was a fine cobbler who did his work well and never promised to do anything that he could not do. His wife died, their children had died in their infancy except a three-year-old son; he thought about sending him off to live with his sister he decided to care for the child himself. Martin’s son died a few years later with a fever.
In grief, he denied God, wondering how God could allow such a thing to happen to him. One day a missionary visited Martin and Martin told him of his hardships. This missionary told Martin that he should live his life for God and that God's will is the ultimate, and we cannot question the why of God’s Will.
The missionary's words sank deep into Martin’s heart and every day after work Martin sat down and read the Bible, after that his life became filled with peace and joy.
One night Martin read the passage about a Pharisee who invited Jesus into his house, where a woman anointed and washed Jesus' feet with her tears.
Martin thought of himself as the Pharisee in that story because he was only living for himself, as he slept that night, he heard the voice of God telling him that He would visit him the next day.
Martin was skeptically, but nonetheless he waited for God. While he was searching for God, he saw Stepanitch shoveling away snow. Martin invited him in for a warm drink and they talked for a while. Martin told Stepanitch about Jesus' and the Pharisee; Stepanitch was moved to tears, he thanked Martin for the food, both for the soul and body.
Later Martin saw a young woman outside with a baby shivering in the cold. He invited her in for some food and gave her warmer clothes for the baby and some money. Martin told her about Jesus, she thanked him and left.
Then he saw a young boy stealing from an older lady, and went outside, settled their argument, extending love and compassion towards the both of them.
That night Martin wondered why God hadn’t visited him, and the people he had showed hospitality to that day appeared in his dream. They said that when he helped them, he was helping God. Martin then realized that God had indeed visited him.
Spend some time during the rest of Lent [and beyond] reading and resting in the with Jesus and His Word as He speaks to you in the depth of your being.
May God Be Praised.
No comments:
Post a Comment