“We must never refuse anyone, even when it costs us much pain. Think that it is Jesus who is asking this service of you; how eager and friendly you will then be in granting the favor requested.” – St. Therese of Lisieux
Helping our brothers and sisters in need do not end by giving them some alms. It is truly fulfilled when we are really able to listen to their needs and when we attend to them with the resources, time and effort that it would take to alleviate their burden.
Quite often however, this is not an easy thing to do. We may be asked to help someone right when we’re in the middle of a project. We may need to listen to the concerns of someone just when we’re also having a bad day. How do we respond then?
We must always try to respond with love. We respond with the way we wish to be treated. We have often wanted to be invited at famous gatherings. We would certainly feel honored when we’re invited by the head of the city or by a king or queen. Why then refuse Jesus when He comes to us as one who thirsts and needs our company?
Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me. – Matthew 25:34-36, WEB-BE
The thing about hope is that it’s a positive force that shines the most when it’s dark. When everything’s going well, we hardly notice it’s there. But when things go against us, when our dreams fade and when we see no immediate reprieve from our troubles, that’s when hope does its best work for us.
"Where Hope Can Be Found"