For some years I was a Minister of Holy Communion in a hospital in Boston. It is a humbling privilege to bring the Lord to His precious ones in their dark hours. One Christmas Eve, I felt inspired to go to the hospital and bring the Lord to His patients. I thought, Christmas Eve is a special night. Surely patients will be excited to see Him.
The hospital was incredibly quiet and still that night. It was like the Christmas poem, “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Anyways the hospital has a list of Catholic patients, so I carried the Lord to the first patient’s room: “No, I’m all set.” The second patient refused, too. One after another, everyone refused. Sound familiar?
Finally, I entered Judy’s room. Here was this older woman lying helpless in severe pain, and yet so kind and gentle toward me.
After she received the Lord in Holy Communion, I told her how it was Christmas Eve, and how all the other patients I visited didn’t have room for Him – but she did. How blessed was she! This is the greatest night to let in Jesus! She wept. She questioned her suffering. I told her about the cross and how she had been chosen by Jesus to share His cross with Him. I offered her a prayer card with the Divine Mercy image on it. When I left the room, I looked back, she was so happy praying, clutching the prayer card in her hand. And I know that she’s going to have an impact on a lot of people’s lives.
No one knows rejection like Jesus does. He was rejected by the religious authorities, the political authorities, by His countrymen, His neighbors, His extended family and friends, those He healed, even His disciples. What was true then is true now. He suffers it all because it’s the price that must be paid in order to reach that special one who will let Him in. But when He enters, it is the greatest moment.
Is there room in your inn?
That is so sad, one person after another refusing Holy Communion; I can hardly even imagine that. No wonder Jesus is always telling us how much He appreciates other souls who console Him.
You’re back, Gabrielle! I hope it’s a good thing for you … It is good to hear from you!
Yes, no one is rejected like Jesus …
But I keep in my mind that there may be another opportunity for those people, maybe another time when they will say yes …
So, He bears the wound of rejection in His Heart, but does not give up hope that they will turn and receive Him if His Father sends Him to them in Holy Communion again. And He continues to pursue them through so many other ways.
What faithful love!