"Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" - John 8:12

The lamp post at the neighbor's house didn't work for 15 years.  Then one day it was discovered that two wires that at one point were connected became disconnected.

The light now shines like a beacon in the neighborhood.  A welcome sign for all visitors.  A guide to those who lost their way.  A lamp to guide people through the darkness.  A signal for safe passage from fear.

Christ, be my light.  Lead me, guide me, protect me.  Amen.

"Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’  Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table." - Luke 14:10

There's usually one that stands out in a crowd; one who endeavors to draw attention to himself.  We are taught to be humble and to take the lowest place at the table.

But isn't that hard?  Don't you want the spotlight to be on you?  Don't you want to be the "life of the party"?  Even just a little?  Humility is a virtue.  How do you "stop the glow" so that others will respect and admire you for the humility in your heart?

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine!  Amen.

"Blessed are those who trust in the LORD; the LORD will be their trust." - Jeremiah 17:7

There are Mary and Jesus statues, prayer books, rosaries, icons and pictures everywhere throughout the house.  On the walls, on the desks, in the bookcases, and on the tables.  "She must really have a strong devotion to Mary," I marveled.  "She has the most faith of anyone I know," he replied.

​Those words resonated with me for a few days until I finally asked him, "How do you know the depth of her faith?  What is faith?  How does she show it?  How do you see it?"

​"Trust," he said.  "She always trusts that everything will be OK.  Like Padre Pio says, 'Pray, hope and don't worry'.  That is how much she trusts.  She has always been like that.  In the good times and in the bad times, she trusts that everything will be OK."

​What is faith?  Trust.

Do I trust?  Do I have faith?  Will others see me as having the most faith of anyone they know?

"In his hand is the soul of every living thing and the life breath of all mortal flesh." - Job 12:10

For three weeks we stayed by her bedside, watching the monitors.  Watching the graphs go up and down; watching the numbers do the same.  We didn't understand what they meant or what they were supposed to be, but we watched them nonetheless.  After all, there wasn't much else we could do.

​We could pray for a miracle, but not every prayer can be granted.  For if every miracle occurred, then there would be no order to God's law.

So we wondered: how would this story end?  But we need not wonder.  We have hope.  For it is all in God's hands.