Thought of the Day October 15, 2019 We are instruments in the Lord's hands
Fr.
Anthony de Melo in his book, Taking Flight, that there once lived a man so
godly. He had no notion that he was holy. His holiness lay in this – he forgot
each person’s past and he looked beyond each person’s appearance. He loved and
forgave everyone he met. This was his way of looking at people.
One
day an angel said to him: “I have been sent to you by God. Ask for anything you
wish and it will be given to you. Would you wish to have the gift of healing?”
“No,” said the holy man, “I’d rather God did the healing Himself.” “Would you
want to bring sinners back to the path of righteousness?” “No,” he said, “it is
not right for me to touch human hearts. That is the work of angels.”
“Would
you like to be such a model of virtue that people will be drawn to imitate
you?” “No,” said the saint, “for that would make me the center of attention.”
“What then do you wish for?” ask the angel. “The grace of God,” was the man’s
reply. “Having that, I have all desire.” “No, you must ask for some miracle,”
said the angel, “one will be forced on you.”
“Well
then, I shall ask for this: let good be done through me without my being aware
of it.” It was decreed that the holy man’s shadow would be endowed with healing
properties and so the sick healed, the land became fertile and people who were
sorrowful are now happy, every time his shadow fell upon them.
The
saint knew nothing of these because people were so caught up with his shadow
that they forgot him. And so his wish was really fulfilled.
Not to know the good that we do but to be content with doing the will of God is the road to holiness. No what matter what the good is, it ultimately comes from God. We are just open instruments in his hand to be use by the Lord in whatever way he chooses or not chooses. Wow! Does that not make our lives simple, taking the focus off us and putting it on the Lord!
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