Zeugnis meiner Mama

During the Sunday readings, my mother's testimony came to mind. After the election of St. John Paul II as Pope, my mother felt a deep need to pray to the Black Madonna of Częstochowa, asking her to send us a priest who would strengthen us in our faith. I don't know how long she prayed for this. On June 24, 1981, she met this Polish priest at a lecture evening given by Father Leppich. It was the Solemnity of St. John the Baptist. This priest stood out even during the lecture. The speaker addressed the topic in a rather modern way: "What if Jesus were walking through our streets today…?" Suddenly, the Polish priest spoke up and bravely said: If Jesus were walking through our streets today, he would say exactly the same thing as he did 2,000 years ago. Enraged, the speaker expelled him from the church. Many people followed the priest and listened as he simply proclaimed the Gospel to them. Just as the woman from Shunen welcomed the prophet Elisha, my parents welcomed this priest into our home. But now Mama experienced the bitter truth of Jesus' words: "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me." For it was precisely from within our own family that fierce resistance arose. What gave Mama the clarity and strength to be hospitable were the words of Jesus: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40) She bravely endured this difficult trial until one day my grandfather suddenly appeared in front of our house to kneel before the priest and beg his forgiveness for his dismissive manner. ... It is so touching that Jesus promises his messengers the same reward for their hospitality as he offers the missionaries who work for him. Jesus says: "Whoever welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward." (Mt 10:41) For "Whoever welcomes them welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me." (cf. Mt 10:40) Let's briefly consider the reward that Mama received: Three of her children were able to discover their priestly vocation through this Polish priest and now ensure that Mama doesn't have to miss a single day of Holy Mass, even in her old age.