Living Monstrance

The Lord blessed me with a wonderful girlfriend. She loved me, and we shared much together.

One night, she went out with a friend downtown Boston. Well, after a few drinks, as the night got late, some things happened and her friend took off and left her. Alone. Drunk. Without a car. At 2 a.m. Some friend.

She called me upset and crying from her cell phone. “Stay there,” I said in a hurry, “I’m coming.” You wouldn’t believe how fast I reached my car. I drove as fast as I could to the site, and when I found her, I quickly pulled over. I got out and gave her a big hug. She got into the car and we left. She was so relieved. I was so happy that she was in the car with me. I was so happy she was safe.

I took her back to my apartment and set her up with a little bed and she fell asleep. I was so happy that she had called me. I was so happy that she was safe with me.

Now, remember, I got woken up at 2 a.m. I could have been angry. I could have said, “That’s what you get for going out and drinking like that downtown.” I could have taken my time and complained the whole way. I could have sought a little payback. I could have sought an apology. But there was none of all this in me. Why?

Because I loved her. I was just happy that she was home, safe with me.

How often do we make a mistake and go off without the Lord in life in the wrong direction, following the popular way and finding ourselves lost, frustrated, left in the dark, surrounded by dangers?

If you do this, call Him quickly. He is quick to respond. He comes to you where you are, and picks you up to take you back with Him. He does not criticize, He does not get angry. He does not seek a formal apology, and He does not seek a payback. No, He rejoices.

“What man of you that has a hundred sheep, and if he shall lose one of them, does he not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after that which was lost, until he find it? And when he has found it, lay it upon his shoulders, rejoicing?” (Lk 15:4-5)

Why?

Because He loves you. He is just happy that you are home, safe with Him.