How One Women’s Willingness Brought Jesus to the Scene of a Crisis.

A common phrase among the members of the Latino community is: “God has placed you in my path. It is an important reminder that God’s support for his creation depends on each one of us responding ‘yes.’” It is being placed in a needy neighbor’s path offering God’s compassionate care. The following example may help us understand why God needs our help to realize his kingdom.

A teenager was hit by a speeding car and lay hurt and in severe pain in front of St. Rocco’s church, where he just exited. A group of astonished parishioners gathered around him waiting for the arrival of the paramedics. As the young man’s life slowly slipped away, he kept crying for his mother to no avail.

Suddenly, a woman broke away from the crowd of helpless onlookers bent down and cradled the now dying youth in her arms. As she carefully rocked him in her arms, she repeated in comforting tones: “I am here son. Everything is going to be okay.” Just then the suffering youth breathed his last, while the woman blessed him with the sign of the cross.

Two days later, the woman, filled with misgivings, confessed to her pastor that she lied about being the youth’s mother. She now felt guilty for what she had done. Even though at the time she felt drawn to do whatever was needed to comfort the dying teenager crying out for his mother.

She left the rectory with peace of mind and a sense of validation. Father had reassured her that not only had she not done anything wrong, but she had, in fact, responded in a Christlike way.

For in that moment, she had embodied the compassion of God for another. She became a compassionate expression of God’s presence for that dying young man. She said “Yes,” and Christ aided that dying youth because of her willingness to step forward

 I have no hands, but yours, says the Lord!

Painting: American Gods, Tylonn J. Sawyer artist