The thought-provoking question

I found myself in a strange situation: I prayed every day, attended Mass regularly, and engaged in works of charity… yet I didn’t have a living faith. It was as if a veil was preventing me from seeing clearly. One day, as I was accompanying my grandmother to the doctor, we got into a profound discussion. Knowing how strong her faith was, I told her the state of my soul. She looked me in the eye and said: “Son, everything you do, do you do it for yourself or for others?” That simple question shocked me and called for a complete change of mentality! I began to reflect, noting that even my acts of charity were done out of a sense of duty. Now and then, I would visit an old man. When I visited him after that encounter with my grandmother, instead of talking about paperwork or medicine, I asked him what was in his heart. He told me about the war, the comrades that had died, his wife’s illness… In the end, he thanked me for the great gift he said he had received that day.

(U.R., Argentina)

Taking a new step

My wife, having fallen in love with her colleague, left me with our four children. I could not show them my despair as this would make their suffering worse, but I could not help wondering where I had gone wrong. My own faith was being tested. Now the challenge was to minimize the impact of this drama on the children and make sure that she did not feel judged by them.
Sometimes, I would bring her our youngest child who is four years old, other times I would make sure she attended parent meetings with the other children’s teachers. Slowly, a situation arose in which it seemed as if the mother, despite living away from home, somehow continued to be present in the family. However, when she asked for a divorce, I felt like I was back to zero. I had to take a new step with the children. It was the oldest who, seeing me sad and thoughtful one day, gave me courage by saying: “Dad, don’t worry. We’re learning to take charge of life.”

(B.d.P., Croatia)

Much more valuable and beautiful

Used to having money, clothes, a life of luxury ever since I was a child, I gradually had to drastically reduce my expenses after getting married. A few days ago, I received an extra sum of money from work. I immediately thought about our soon-to-be-born baby and what I could buy for him. But then, remembering how many poor people were in the city, I told myself that the money could be used to help some of them. So we did. After the birth of our baby, I received loads of second-hand clothes as gifts. Of course, I would have liked brand new things for our baby, but the things I received out of love were much more valuable and beautiful to me.

(Anita, Venezuela)

Compiled by Stefania Tanesini (taken from Il Vangelo del Giorno, Città Nuova, year VI, no. 2, March-April 2020)