Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

"...and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked
Him" (Luke 17:16).

A Franciscan Brother named Phillip Kelly was
ministering to a large group of migrant workers from
Puerto Rico. Every year they journeyed to the U.S.
mainland to pick fruits and vegetables for a big canning
company. Many of the workers brought their families
with them, and they all aspired to earn enough money
to one day build a house on their native island.

Each December, the workers and their families would
gather together in a Church basement for a holiday
celebration that culminated with a drawing for a chance
to win an all-expense-paid luxury vacation. To fund the
drawing, each of the several hundred families contributed
five dollars or more. As the workers arrived at the church
they would deposit their contribution into a box along
with a slip of paper with the family name on it.

It so happened that one year the party was attended by
the canning company foreman. A twenty-five year
employee, he had worked closely with the migrant
workers and was now retiring. He very much loved these
people and, over the years, he had befriended them and
been of service to them in many ways -- and they loved
him.

When it was time for the drawing, Brother Kelley was
asked to pick the name of the lucky family from the box.
Wearing a blindfold, he reached into the box and pulled
out a slip. And incredibly, the name he drew was that of
the retiring foreman.

When the name was announced, the workers cheered
and hugged each other and danced around as the foreman
joyfully thanked his co-workers. During the commotion,
the curious Brother Kelley reached into the box and
grabbed a handful of the remaining slips. And much to his
surprise, on each one -- in different handwriting -- was the
foreman's name.

To all of the foremen and forewomen, teachers and tellers,
doctors and lawyers, CEOs and short order cooks here
today -- no matter what your name is or who you know --
it's not your title, your tenure, your rank, or your seniority
that matters most. Instead, its the simple and direct job
description assigned to every follower of Christ:
Love one another!

It's the job of responding to the Father's gift of love as
Jesus responded -- through our ministry of loving service to
our brothers and sisters, everywhere. And to all who
faithfully report for the job, give thanks to the Lord. Give
thanks to the Lord who assures us, "your names are
written in heaven"” (Lk.10:20).

(Excerpts from Sunday Sermons Online)