by Nicole Tardio, IWM serving in Mongu, Zambia
This past week had a very "in my face" recurring theme about it. I was hit constantly with the demand to pay attention to Jesus’ presence in my life through the people around me and my call to be like Jesus for others.
On Wednesday we celebrated the Presentation of Jesus at the temple in an evening mass. Here in Mongu they also honor all the consecrated Religious. It is a mass where they all come together to pray and celebrate their call/vocation to Religious Life. It was a beautiful celebration, filled with singing and dancing, with the participation of the Sisters, Brothers, and Priests from the diocese. During mass one of the Comboni Missionary Sisters was invited to give the homily. She gave a beautiful account of how we can be Jesus for others by simply being. I would like to share it with you...
She told a story of an older priest who went to a village in Africa as a missionary. He found it hard to learn the language because of his age, but that did not stop him from visiting the sick and the lonely. He would go to be with them amidst their pain and suffering, just to hold their hands and comfort them. He also found time to play with the children - he learned their games and would spend hours laughing with them and learning from them. After much time, he himself grew sick and died their in the village. The people celebrated his life and buried him among their family members who had passed on.
Not long after, a young missionary was sent to that village. He was quick to learn the language and he was eager to teach the people about Jesus. He sat the children down and told them about Jesus: how he lived long ago, that He was very kind and loving, that He cured the sick and comforted the people who were in pain. He stressed how much Jesus loved children and how he loves each one of them. The children were quick to tell the young man that they knew exactly who Jesus was - and that he hadn’t died long ago, but just recently and right in THEIR village!!!
This story is very simple and beautiful. It is a reminder to me that it is not necessarily what I can do is what matters. What is most important is how I go about living. I think it is a beautiful reminder to be loving and present to everyone I meet.
This past weekend I was walking home from Saturday morning mass and I decided to buy a treat for myself for breakfast. I had my eye open for anyone selling fritas (basically it is a ball of dense bread the size of your fist deep fried and very yummy; when I first tasted one I knew I had found my replacement here for doughnuts! J ).
I was nearing home when I spotted a little boy squatted down next to his small bucket of fritas. He didn’t look up when I walked over to him, so I squatted down right in front of him and asked if I could buy two fritas. He slowly looked up and when our eyes met, he had the most beautiful smile on his face. Right there, in that moment, I felt like I was looking into the eyes of Jesus. As I finished the walk home, enjoying my frita treat, I could not help but smile. I had been touched by the little boy and his smile was contagious.
I really enjoyed reading this post! The story about the priest in the village really opened my eyes and showed that even though there may be obstacles along our way, there is always a way around them. When I read that the kids in the village thought the priest was Jesus, I could not help but to think they were right. The kids really did see Jesus through this priest! Really enjoyed reading this post!
ReplyDeleteHey Nicole!!
ReplyDeleteYour post was very touching, the story about how the children believed the priest was actually Jesus reaffirmed my believe that Jesus could be seen through people in everyday events. All you have to do is to look for Him. I think its amazing that God could be found anywhere and everywhere. Thank you for the spreading the Word of God in a less fortunate country! Truly appreciate the work that you all are doing!!
Nicole, that story was very inspiring! The man in the village and the story of Jesus is something that really hits home in many places like Zambia, I would think. There are tons of people that take the traits of Jesus like helping others, healing and loving. It’s just the matter of helping people being there open minded and caring. Everyone could be “like Jesus” if they really wanted too. It sounds like you are on your way! Every smile does a person good and brightens everyones day! :)
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