Author: Maria Barroso

“Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men.”

Colossians 3:23 (RSV)

It was a cold day in January 2023, when a Radon mitigation system was installed in my home. It’s typically a two man job that takes about five hours, but only one worker arrived to do the work. His partner had to stay home with his sick child, so one man arrived to do the work alone. That one man did the work of two and finished in seven hours, without taking a single break. 

He drilled into the basement concrete floor, assembled the electrical parts outside in the cold, with snow and wind blowing in his face. He dragged heavy tools up and down my basement stairs all day long. For whatever reason he never took a break, not even for lunch. I was impressed at how hard he worked and still cleaned up afterward. 

After he finished I asked his first name, which was Pauric. I must have looked puzzled, because he then explained that it’s a Gaelic variation of Padraig which translates to Patrick. His father was from Ireland and he learned every skill he had from his father, who owned a family construction business. It was a family business in the truest sense. His mother was the accountant, his sister was the architect and Pauric did everything else, using all the skills  his father taught him. Each family member did their part in honor of their family business. 

Besides having good skills, Pauric had an excellent work ethic, which he learned from his family. To honor him for his skill and work ethic, is to honor his parents who taught him everything. 

Jesus honored His Heavenly Father by living according to His divine work ethic, as well as honoring the work ethic of Joseph and Mary, His human family. He did it by showing selflessness and compassion in all He said and did. Jesus not only had an excellent work ethic, but an inviting and friendly demeanor, which drew people to Him, from every aspect of society. He ministered to people tirelessly, all day long, loving, praying, preaching and healing, without taking a break for Himself.

Jesus told us to abide in Him so that we will bear the fruit of His Spirit. We are also a part of a family business, by being part of the family of God. We do what we do to honor our Heavenly Father, reflecting His values, as well as those of our earthly parents. As a result, we hope to bring honor to God as well as to the family we were raised in. 

Lord, help us to do all our work heartily, as if doing it for you, so that we may always bring honor and glory to you. Amen

“It is the living who give thanks to You, as I do today;

A father tells his sons about Your faithfulness.”

Isaiah 38:19 (NASB)

Last weekend I attended a celebration of life for my brother in law, who passed away from lung cancer, at 86. Peter was the older brother of my late husband, Stephen. 

It was interesting to hear the eulogies that his four children gave. They all shared how their dad always told them he loved them. He was dedicated to his faith, where he played the piano for the services at his Evangelical Lutheran church, for many years. 

Music was Peter’s entire life hobby, especially after he retired from working as a forensic engineer. For years he utilized his skill of engineering to investigate system failures of machines, explosions, and electrical failures that resulted in an injury or death. One of the eulogies mentioned how unique it was for a man so invested in years of engineering, to also be musically gifted to write inspiring worship songs for his church, which Peter did. 

His oldest son, also named Peter, lived the farthest away from the family, in San Diego. He inherited his father’s creative talent and also plays the piano. He uses his creative gifts, working as a designer of backdrops for various theatrical productions.

When Peter heard that his dad was diagnosed with lung cancer, he flew in for a visit last year. It was a special reunion between a father and his first born, at which time,  Peter told his son that he wanted him to have his keyboard after he was gone. That visit was in October, but no one expected him to pass away eight months later.

After Peter passed away the four children came together, and while cleaning his home, they found his sentimental treasures. His oldest son found his dad’s keyboard and took it with him as his dad once requested. Gabrielle, his daughter, found a collection of song lyrics that her dad wrote, and she read the lyrics of one song at his celebration of life church service.  It was a song about the peace that is found while sitting at the feet of Jesus. 

Everything Peter wrote, centered on how, whatever the storm, the Lord keeps us in peace, as we stay close to Jesus. He obviously found this peace, during his lung cancer journey.  

In his last few years, he continued to care for his wife at home, who has Alzheimer’s, while he was undergoing treatments for lung cancer. 

It was a beautiful and creative celebration of life, and we all learned more about Peter than we knew before. He left a rich legacy of love and faith for all who knew him. It concluded with everyone singing Amazing Grace followed by a closing prayer. 

Celebrations of life are reminders that we begin our legacy, here and now, while we are alive and well. We carry within us, the lessons of faith and love that someone else first left in our hearts, and it goes on from generation to generation. God, our Heavenly Father left us the greatest legacy of all, through the life example of Jesus, His son. 

Lord, help us to always live in love, faith and integrity, providing a lasting legacy that impacts all of our loved ones for years to come. Amen

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

My mind has been so much more open to the effectiveness of all kinds of prayer, ever since my son Jon’s accident in 2023. Over the last few years, many people from different faith backgrounds, have shared kind words and offered prayers, which I’m grateful for.

It’s fascinating to think about the power of God and all the different ways that people pray to Him. God is big enough to understand the many different kinds of prayer, different faith traditions and the Holy Spirit’s part in all of it. 

Everyone has their favorite way to pray. Some like to read a prayer or recite a favorite memorized prayer, or look at a favorite picture of Jesus while talking to Him. Whether it’s a short, spontaneous plea from the heart or a longer eloquent devotion, it’s nice to know that Paul encouraged all kinds of prayer. I also believe it’s important to close every prayer with the words, “Thy will be done.”

After Jon’s accident, while he was in a coma, I told my friends about it, and also spoke to my Jewish friend, Larry, who lives in Kfar Saba, far away in Israel. It was comforting to know that many people said they were praying for Jon. 

I didn’t know that Larry asked his synagogue to pray for Jon during their Friday evening service. They have a system where special prayer requests are mentioned after reading from the Torah. Larry gave them Jon’s name and requested prayer. He told me how it was at a Friday service, which happened to be the same day that Jon opened his eyes and awoke from his coma. 

I had no idea at the time that Larry’s synagogue prayed for Jon, until he told me days afterward. It was amazing to realize that total strangers 6,000 miles away were praying, saying my son’s name and he woke up. Some might say it’s coincidence, but faith tells us it is God. 

Jon is still making progress today, thanks to many prayers of friends and family everywhere. He seems to recognize the people at the Nursing home and now joins them at the table. He occasionally says a few words, like “Thanks guys,” or “No mom,” when I offer him more to eat. He even offers a friendly fist bump to those who greet him. 

This whole journey of his accident and recovery process has taught me to be more open to the concept of world wide prayers, and just how powerful God is. Instead of putting limits on God, I’m grateful for any prayers from people of any faith affiliation, because I believe God is moved by the sincere heartfelt prayer of any well meaning believer. 

God receives prayers from people in all areas in the world, and He responds simultaneously. Nothing is too difficult for Him because He is an omnipresent, omniscient and merciful Savior, who understands all languages and reigns as King of kings over all nations. 

Lord, thank you for hearing our prayers, and bless every believer and their loved ones today, with healing, hope, deliverance and peace, wherever they are. Amen 

“Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.

But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

John 8:6-7 (NAB)

The story about the woman caught in adultery is mentioned in John’s gospel only, and none of the other three gospels. Many have tried to guess what Jesus wrote on the ground that day, but the gospel doesn’t reveal what He wrote. It’s the only time that Jesus is seen writing anything at all, which sparks the curiosity of many. 

Whatever He wrote, had a huge impact on the crowd, because one by one, the men who accused the woman, dropped their stones and left. Then Jesus stood up and called for whoever is without sin to cast the first stone, but no one ever did, because they were gone. 

Before Jesus spoke one word to the crowd, He first wrote on the ground. Whatever He wrote was bold enough to stop the frenzied mob, and He did it for the sake of that woman, to spare her from a death sentence. His mercy was poured out upon the contrite ones who already knew they fell short, instead of the self righteous and proud. 

What a relief it was for that woman to be under the protection of Jesus. Whatever He wrote, cancelled out her death sentence. Then He said to her, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.”

Throughout the gospels, Jesus said He didn’t come to condemn the world, but to save it. 

He prefers mercy over sacrifice. He further clarified His core mission by telling the religious authorities that He didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:32)

We can try guessing what words He wrote on the ground and maybe one day, He will tell us. One thing is certain, whatever He wrote, was to extend His mercy to one woman. It requires action to show mercy and the action Jesus took that day, is hidden in the mystery of whatever He wrote.

Jesus demonstrated mercy all throughout His ministry, and He did it by using very few words. When He approached Matthew, a notorious tax collector, He said two words, “Follow Me”, then walked away, but it was enough for Matthew, who followed Him. He told others, “Your faith has made you well,” or “Your sins are forgiven,” and they were miraculously healed. He did major acts of mercy with minimal conversation. It seems that those who say less, make us listen more keenly to the few words they do speak. It makes us want to sit in silence and listen to the few words Jesus is saying to us each day.

He showed mercy to prostitutes, lepers, and all the outcasts of society. His final and greatest act of mercy was on the cross, when He suffered by laying down His life for all, including His enemies. His few words from the cross were, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

It seems the “Jesus way” is to do major acts of mercy, while using the least amount of words. We are also called to show mercy to those who may not know what they do. There is nothing we could do to make Jesus love us any more than He already does, just as we can do nothing that would make Him love us any less.

Today, His fingers are still writing on the ground of our lives, using our kindness to care for strangers, plead the cause of the outcasts, widows, orphans, and any who we see suffering. We follow the Jesus way by doing the most acts of mercy, using the fewest words, as we reflect Him to all we meet.

Lord, thank you for your love and mercy and help us to live in a way that reflects You to all who cross our path in this life. Amen

“One night in a vision the Lord said to Paul, “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city.”

Acts 18:9-10 (NAB)

The vision or dream that Paul had couldn’t come at a better time. All Jews were ordered to leave Rome in 49 A.D. after Roman authorities grew tired of religious disputes over Jesus. Even though Jesus ascended to heaven long ago, He was still shaking up the world He left behind. 

The Jewish believers who were forced out of Rome, moved to cities in Greece, which required a huge adjustment. Paul was totally exasperated, living in Athens, which was a city of idol worship. (Acts 17:16)

He preached the gospel but was confronted with opposition by the pagan cults. Leaving Athens, he went on to Corinth, another city full of strange religions, cultish customs, and strong opposition to Jesus. It was a difficult period of time for all believers in Jesus. Christians were a minority, outnumbered by the Corinthian natives. 

While Paul was reeling from the culture shock in Corinth, Jesus appeared to him in a vision and reassured him that He has many other people in Corinth, who also believe in Him. Jesus told Paul not to be afraid, that no one would harm him and he was where he was meant to be.

Being where God wants us to be is the safest place of all. Being expelled from Rome, appeared at first to be a negative event, but in God’s divine plan, the gospel was meant to be brought to the gentiles who had never heard of Him.

While in Corinth, Paul met a couple, Aquila and Priscilla, Italian Jews who believed in Jesus and also were expelled from Rome. Aquila was a tent maker like Paul, so they had much in common. He and Priscilla became Paul’s close friends and fellow missionaries in Corinth, as their home became a church. (1 Corinthians 16:19)

The Jewish faith was going through birth pangs, with groups who were resistant to Jesus as well as those who believed and  embraced the One sent to be their redeemer and the final Passover Lamb.

The believers who migrated to Corinth, found it very stressful at first, but later it proved to be the providence of God. We all have a Corinth in our lives. It’s a place or a situation that makes us feel alone or outnumbered. It could be a new residence or a workplace, or a difficult group of people to deal with, or adjusting to an unfamiliar environment. Corinth is a place that feels wrong at first, but it’s the right place, because the providence of God brought us there.

Jesus appeared to Paul to assure him that he was in the right place, and that He would be with him all the way through it. He led Aquila and Priscilla to him, as his helpers in the ministry at Corinth.

I remember a Corinth in my life, it was a new era of having an adult son living in a Nursing Home. It felt strange at first but with God’s grace, I’ve adjusted to it. As I think back to the very beginning, the Lord sent people to me, to lift my spirit and confirm that He was with me from the very start.

When Jon was first hospitalized in the ICU, a nurse I didn’t know, one day surprised me by asking if she could pray for him while he lied in a coma. A week after that, I received a text message from a stranger, who said he was an old friend of Jon’s from youth group many years ago. He heard what had happened and now lives in another state, but he wanted me to know that he and his wife would be praying for Jon. After two weeks of being in a coma, Jon woke up. 

We may not have a dream or a night vision like Paul, where Jesus appears and speaks directly to us, but He encourages us through the words or prayers of other people, sometimes even total strangers. 

Whatever our Corinth is, Jesus is with us, and sends others to us, as if to say,

“I am with you, I have people for you to meet, and people who are praying for you, so don’t be afraid.”

Lord, thank you for comforting us in our Corinth, and help us grow in faith and confidence to know that you are always with us and working for our good. Amen

“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

Hebrews 7:25 (RSV)

Whoever and however a person comes to God, He will complete His work in them, because scripture teaches that we can plant seeds but only God causes the growth. 

God often uses us to plant those seeds in the hearts of people, through things we do or say.  We may never know how we have planted a seed in someone, even if we never observed its growth. That’s what it means that God saves completely, since He is the finisher and perfecter of our faith. 

With this in mind, every day there is someone who is coming closer to God, while Jesus, stands at the right hand of God, interceding for all of us. (Romans 8:34)

It’s one reason I like to start each day, praying a simple permission prayer, where I ask God to use me in any way that He desires. He might have a seed that I can plant for Him that day. 

Unusual circumstances happen whenever I start the day with that permission prayer. We may not even be aware of the moment a seed was planted in someone’s heart. 

Last Sunday I went to the hospital to do my once a week volunteer ministry. I picked up the census list of Christian patients to visit, and the list led me to the room of an elderly woman with an Arabic name. After telling her who I was, I learned that she was a Muslim, who by some mistake, ended up on the Christian list. I apologized for coming to the wrong room and was about to leave, when she called me back over to her. 

Although there were language barriers, she asked, “Can you help me?” as she pointed to her stomach. I told her I was not a doctor or a nurse, but I do pray for people in the name of Jesus, who can heal our illnesses.

She said “It doesn’t matter, Jesus or God, just help me,” as she kept reaching her hand toward me. She gave me permission to pray to Jesus for her, so I held her hand and laid my other hand on her stomach, praying for her healing. Afterward, she was still confused because she kept asking me to help her, not remembering what I already told her. I reminded her that Jesus heals our diseases, and finally left her in God’s hands. 

In the 20 years of volunteering in that ministry, I never encountered someone of a different faith, who was so persistent, but regardless of the role dementia may have played in her response, God is able to save completely, all who come to Him through Jesus, so I trust that He will finish whatever He started in her that day. 

As I gave God permission to use me that morning, that lady gave me permission to pray for her in Jesus’ name. Giving permission  leads to blessings, and people in pain reach out to God, without knowing His name, but He still hears and answers us. I trust that Jesus, who intercedes for all souls, led me to the “wrong room,” to share His name, and plant the right seed, so that He can finish His work in her life.

When we give God permission to use us, mistakes are not really mistakes. What we think is the wrong place, is really God’s place, and who appears to be the wrong person is the one Jesus is praying for in that moment. Asking to be used for His purpose changes our perspective about everything. He saves completely, anyone who comes to Him, by using ordinary people to plant seeds, as He intercedes for humanity.

Lord, we give you permission to use us in any way you desire, and open the hearts of the people we meet, and plant seeds through us, in order to complete your purpose. Amen

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 1:6-7 (NASB)

Everyone can relate to fiery trials at some time in our lives, since we were never promised an easy road to heaven. Instead, Peter tells us that faith is tested as gold is, which is purified through the fire of trials and tribulations. 

Faith that is totally reliant on Jesus, can withstand the intensity of the fire. I can think of several people and friends of faith, who have developed this resilient quality of “golden faith”, through the purifying fire that scripture speaks of. Many are the friends receiving this meditation today. 

I also recall a lady who lived for a few years in the Nursing facility, named Tawana. We used to talk and I remember her interesting life story. Her faith began with a close relationship with her grandmother.  Her grandfather was Bob Jeter, a professional athlete, who played football for both the Chicago Bears and Green Bay packers in the 60’s and 70’s. The foundation of Tawana’s faith was impacted most by her grandmother, Bob Jeter’s wife, who was still living at the age of 100. 

Tawana needed that foundation of faith since she encountered many fiery trials in her lifetime. 

When she was a young wife and mother, her husband stopped after work to have a drink with some friends at a local bar. A stranger walked into the bar that day, pulled out a gun and killed every single person in there. 

That event changed Tawana’s life in one day, as she became a widow, with a three year old boy, while pregnant with twins, who were due any day. The day after her husband’s funeral, Tawana gave birth to boy and a girl twins. The boy twin had a slight heart defect and spent a longer stay in the hospital, but eventually he came home healthy, thanks to many prayers. 

Tawana raised her three children as a single parent, with the help of God and her church family. She told me she could never have made it through those difficult years without her church who kept her lifted up in prayer. Her children never knew their earthly father, but Tawana made sure that they knew their heavenly one. 

Decades later, when her children were adults and caring for their own children, Tawana had a stroke. With physical therapy and the prayers of her friends and family, she recovered without major deficits, and gives God all the praise for her recovery. 

Some years after that, she began to have frequent headaches and was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which was found to be cancerous. 

After undergoing brain surgery and chemotherapy treatment, Tawana was sent to the Nursing Facility for rehabilitation, which is how I met her.

She is the most upbeat, cheerful person who knew everyone in that facility and everyone knew her. No one could imagine all the trials that such a pleasant lady had been through. Though she walks with short shuffling steps, her mind is sharp and her overall health is good. 

On Karaoke day at the Nursing home, she selected the song,

“Oh Happy Day,” and sang it like she was telling her own story of trust in God, who brought her through many fires, believing He will continue to do so.

Tawana’s prayers were answered, and her last check up found her to be cancer free. She was blessed to be discharged from the Nursing home, and go to an assisted living facility on the south side of Chicago, close to her children, her grandmother and grandchildren. 

I learned from Tawana, that total reliance on God, means He will carry us through even the most catastrophic events. When faith is purified, it shines through like polished gold, finding the hope to look for better days to come. The Lord helped Tawana find her better days, and He will do it for us as well. 

Lord, purify our faith to be like gold, making us resilient through all the fiery trials, and restore to us the joy of our salvation. Amen

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

Matthew 24:14 (NIV)

Pastor Satish Kumar is the founder of Calvary Temple church, which is the second largest Protestant evangelical church in the world, following one in South Korea. Satish was raised a Hindu and converted to Christianity through a street preacher.

He went on to be educated in England, and was ordained in 2005, when he started a church in Hyderabad, India with only 25 people. 

Fifteen years later, his church has a membership of 400,000. On Sunday there are five Church services beginning at 6:00 am, but people start lining up at 4:30 am. 

Pastor Satish brings an authentic message of the gospel where Christianity has not always been warmly welcomed. Although he faces opposition at times, by radical antichristian groups, his church continues to grow. His sermons are inspiring messages of love, hope, and redemption, with an ongoing work to meet the needs of the community. He never compares, criticizes, or condemns other gods or religions, and his sermons draw people from all faiths.

Pastor Satish’s church uses their annual funds of $434,000 to provide meals for their community. His ministry also offers prayer and healing services, YouTube channels, a hospital, a Bible college, and they provide free funerals for all its members.

Those who attend any church service, swipe an access card each time they enter, so they can be kept in touch with. If anyone misses church, someone will call them to check if they are okay and need anything.

Here is one more amazing fact: Pastor Satish Kumar does not take a regular salary but relies on the church to provide for his family’s needs. No wonder he is respected by people from all religious backgrounds. 

Whatever denomination we are affiliated with, no one can deny that the fruit of the Spirit is manifested in Satish’s ministry. God is doing great things in many parts of the world, and this church ministry is nothing less than a phenomenal move of God.

The bible says that the gospel will be a testimony to all nations in the last days, and it’s happening in a big way in Asia, Africa and South Korea these days.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is a message being brought through many Christian denominations, so that it can become a living testimony to all nations. 

Lord, help us to be your hands and feet in the world and to reflect your truth through love. Amen 

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2 (RSV)

I once set aside a day to visit my jeweler in Chicago, who sold us our wedding rings. He’s an honest, trustworthy businessman as well as a jewelry designer.

Since I retired in 2023, I intended to visit him one day to turn my wedding band into a cross, and wear it as a necklace, now that arthritis in my knuckles prevents wearing a ring.

About a year after Jon’s accident, after being settled in a Nursing facility, I finally set aside a day to visit the jeweler. His wife who works with him, was in the store that day and we started talking. After sharing my story about Jon’s accident, I learned that she and her husband lost their adult son in a fatal car accident years ago. That explained the large framed portrait of a smiling young man, hanging on the wall of their store. Her son was in his early twenties when he died. Then she leaned closer to whisper that her husband has not spoken about his death, ever since.

The two of us chatted in one corner of the store for a few minutes, sharing our burdens and the similar grief that we had in common, while her husband was  in the back room of the store. The silence about their son, must be hard on both of them after all these years.

After we shared our stories, I realized there is a strange comfort that comes through bearing each other’s burdens as scripture says to do. Two people can still share their grief in silence, but there is something liberating and therapeutic in talking about it.

God sends people to us who are suffering similar tragedies in order for us to share and bear it with them, which is a momentary healing balm for the soul. There is always someone going through a similar trial as ours, to bond and identify with, whether it’s about a medical problem, a divorce, loss of a loved one, the struggles of a caregiver or any other hardship.

There’s no doubt that God brings people together at the right time and place to comfort us in our distress, and infuse our faith with much needed stamina.  

There is a special blessing in the book of James for all those who suffer in some way but persevere:

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

Lord, help us to always be ready to share and bear each other’s burdens, and give us strength to persevere as we devote our love and trust to you. Amen

“Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 

A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.”

Luke 10:30-33 (NIV)

Both the priest and the Levite in this story, walked on the other side of the road to avoid looking at the man who was beaten and robbed. It requires an attitude of indifference to ignore what is in plain sight and then walk away. 

There are different degrees of indifference, and not all involve a victim of a robbery or a beating. 

A survey once questioned 6,500 college students, to ask whether they believe in God or not. The vast majority answered the same way. “I’m not religious, but I’m spiritual.” That common response made me wonder why they couldn’t just answer with a straightforward “Yes, I believe in God”, or “No, I don’t.” 

To avoid giving a direct answer is just another way of showing indifference. In most cases, an indifferent response is usually not the best one. Indifferent attitudes led to many forms of human suffering throughout history, including slavery, poverty and genocide.

I caught myself being indifferent one day last week at the Nursing home. Many residents have mental health disorders of various kinds, and often display odd behaviors, like one lady who is wheel chair bound, and rolls through the facility every day. She might suddenly stop and approach someone, to loudly curse them out, for no reason, until a staff person comes to take her back to her room. 

I’m going to call her Carla, for privacy reasons. One day last week I brought treats to share with the residents that I know. Instead of carrying the treats in a plastic bag, I decided to use an Aldi shopping bag that day. For some reason, Carla was obsessed with that Aldi shopping bag, and she kept asking me for it. I told her that I needed the bag, but she wouldn’t stop asking. She never resorted to cursing, but I grew tired of her steady nagging, so I sat down at a table, with my back to her, until she finally left the room. 

In the moment of being annoyed by her, I thought of Carla as a stranger, not one of my group of regular friends. I felt no pity for her knowing how verbally unhinged she can become, so I chose to be indifferent to her. While driving home that day, I thought of the Good Samaritan story, and how he had pity on the wounded man. 

I began to feel sorry for ignoring Carla until she went away. I realized that I treated her in the same way that the priest and Levite treated the wounded man in that bible story. Anyone can look and see who the wounded ones are in their plain sight, but  choose to respond with pity or indifference. 

In my remorse, I stopped at Aldi on the way home, and bought another bag for myself, so that I could bring Carla the bag that she begged for. 

The next day, Carla rolled into the Day room in her wheelchair, and I walked over and handed her the Aldi bag. Her face lit up and she thanked me, asking, “How much do I owe you?” I told her “nothing.” She was so delighted to have a silly empty bag, and she carries it around with her, every day since. 

I wasn’t aware of my own attitude of indifference, because it’s so easy to avoid certain residents, who exhibit strange behaviors. 

Carla saw treasure in an Aldi bag, and it reminds me of the saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Every human person is God’s treasure. The Good Samaritan reminds us that whether people are sick or healthy, every person among us is “one of our own.”

Lord, deliver us from indifference, and open our hearts to see every human person as one of our own. Amen