A Short Story: At Least Saint Joseph Will Have Pity on Me!

As a grown man in Paris, Maximin Giraud, one of the seer of the La Salette apparitions, was reduced to such poverty that he was forced to pawn a piece of his clothing. Then, completely broke and without food, he entered the church of Saint Sulpice to kneel before the altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary. « I’m hungry, my good Mother," he said, "are you going to let me starve? I did everything you asked of me. I communicated to all your people the serious and solemn warnings you came to bring. I’m about to faint from hunger. If you won’t to pull me out of my misery I’ll turn to your husband Saint Joseph, who I'm sure will have pity on me! » 

Weakened by prolonged fasting, he soon fell asleep. A stranger woke him up and invited him to a restaurant, ordering him a hearty meal. When he had satisfied his hunger, the stranger paid the waiter and told Maximin to go to the pawn shop to redeem the piece of clothing he had pawned. He added that he would find in the pocket of that garment a banknote that would get him out of poverty. With these words he was gone and Maximin never found out who the man was. How did a perfect stranger know that he had pawned his garment? How did he know that there was some money in the pocket of that piece of clothing ensuring Maximin’s future? So, unable to give a rational explanation to such an extraordinary experience, he always thought that the stranger was Saint Joseph himself.

***Leon Bloy, Celle qui pleure - The Woman Who Cries (Notre Dame de la Salette), 1908

The Genie's Lamp

I just want to keep you smiling at this hour until this day is over and the next day; If you still remember this on the third and the fourth day, since you've watch this short film that means I made you happy ☺. God Bless you all!

When upon life's billows,
You are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged,
Thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings,
Name them one by one
And it will surprise you
What the Lord has done.

A Beautiful Story: Mother and Child

Note: I've heard this story as a homily in the church, a number of times.

A little boy came up to his mother in the kitchen one evening while she was fixing supper, and handed her a piece of paper that he had been writing on. 

After his Mom dried her hands on an apron, she read it, and this is what it said:

For cutting the grass:  $10.00

For cleaning up my room this week:    $2.00 

For going to the store for you:    $1.00 

Baby-sitting my kid brother while you went shopping:    $0.50 

Taking out the garbage:    $2.00 

For getting a good report card:   10.00 

For cleaning up and raking the yard:   $5.00 

Total owed: $30.50

Well, his mother looked at him standing there,and the boy could see the memories flashing through her mind. She picked up the pen, turned over the paper he'd written on, and this is what she wrote: 

For the nine months I carried you while you were growing inside me:  No Charge 

For all the nights that I've sat up with you doctored and prayed for you:  No Charge 

For all the trying times, and all the tears that you've caused through the years:  No Charge 

For all the nights that were filled with dread, and for the worries I knew were ahead:  No Charge 

For the toys, food, clothes, and even wiping your nose:  No Charge 

Son, when you add it up,the cost of my love is:  No Charge

When the boy finished reading what his mother had written, there were big tears in his eyes, and he looked straight at his mother and said, "Mom, I sure do love you."And then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote: "PAID IN FULL". 

Reflection: You will never know how much your parents worth till you become a Parent. Be a giver, especially to your parents, there's a lot to give, besides money. If your mom is still alive and close to you, give her a big hug and a kiss, say thank you for bringing you out in this world. If she is far away, call her and tell her you love her, if she'd passed away, pray for her.

*from unknown author*

image source: stock photo