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And so it was. They were directed to investigate and find out; "Who is this man?"
Angels are an Idea. Just that. An Idea that can lift you up.
A team of investigators was sent to determine what made this phenomenon work.
They found the man in a hospital bed during a blood transfusion. Obviously chemo-therapy was not going well. The man looked like death eating a cracker with no milk. He saw them and beckoned for them to take a chair that this would not be long, or they could go get something to eat in the great cafeteria. He smiled and said don't worry I will be here when you get back.
Before letting them go he took the time to learn their names, so he could pray for them. And then he took the time and energy to compliment each one is some way. And then he blessed them each separately. And then he smiled his biggest smile and told them to have fun.
And so the investigators saw first hand why they were there. There was no longer a reason for the priest and the deacon investigators to question the wisdom of the Bishop and the Cardinal.
This investigation would bear fruit. What they had been looking for was likely here.
Upon their return the man was sleeping but the nurse (his sister) told them to wake him and left.
A recorder was out, two pads of paper and then they approach the man's bedside. A smile broadened his already peaceful face. And he rose an arm with an IV in it to shake their hands without ever opening his eyes. "I see by the smiles on your faces and the time that past that you truly enjoyed my cafeteria. Did Julie help you to the good stuff?"
Then he said "how can I help you so you can get started. Would you like a story or just hop right in with an interview?"
The church investigators opted for a story so the man breathed deep. And began to speak of other's suffering. He spoke of suffering with others and living in a dump and suffering with the kids who had not enough to eat and how happy it made him to share in their lives. How much fun they had looking for treasure and learning stories and songs and stars and anything to eat.
He declared that he had not been there to help or save anyone but to learn from them, their wisdom of life.
Next he described an Indian reservation
He told them of his friends that lived in a hogan with dirt ceilings and dirt floors and no running water and no electricity. He told them of the lack of medical care. He explained that this was in the 1980's. He reminded them that 1 in 4 of the children born there died before their tenth birthday. And he related the diet and subsequent malnutrition.
Then he smile and related that it was some of the happiest days of his life. The joy and wonder that they shared in being so close to and part of God's beautiful earth, of being brothers with all living creatures.
The investigators interrupted him, and insisted he tell them how he had found so much joy in so much suffering. The man smiled and said "let me tell you of one more place.
An inner city ghetto was his next and last stop.
The man waxed on about the horrible drug use, drive by shootings taking loved ones and the rape of women. He spoke of the absence of fathers and the terrible treatment by police. He spoke of the horrendous domestic violence and malnutrition from junk food and alcohol.
And then he smile again and spoke of the love that he had found there in the birth and hope of a new child. Of competition in street sports. In sharing dreams of escape. In the enjoyment of music and dancing. He spoke of the joyous homecomings when neighbors and family returned from jail terms.
Let us not be too blind
Then the man began to cough and cough and the nurses rushed in.
The man's heart stopped. ....... And then by itself it started again. And then the man smiled again. And he looked to the investigators and said for them not to worry. That it was not the man's time, and so go ahead and ask your questions.
And so finally the investigators asked him the question they had come to ask: How can you be so filled with joy and happiness a midst so much pain and suffering?
And the man answered in an even tone. As I am to love my friends and my enemies the same. So shall it be that I love all life the same. The good the bad and the ugly do not change the fact that it is life and I am directed and moved to love life. Life is the treasured gift. Not an easy life or a good life or a rich life or a healthy life. The gift so freely given me is life, every bit of it.
Try it you will like it.
Check them out, one is the son of the old man in this story.
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