Dear Brothers,

During an early September Mass, Deacon Fredy Vargas gave a homily which really impressed me. It included a story which I felt could apply to us as members of the Knights of Columbus. The story was somewhat as follows:

An elderly lady, completely alone, with no friends, family, or visitors, was at the point of losing hope and feeling that God had abandoned her. She was almost wishing that she could just die.  The situation was so depressing she decided to go outside for a walk.

At the same time, a young boy was struggling with the concept of “God”.  Where was God? How was he supposed to relate to Him?  Why couldn’t he find God at home? Maybe he should go looking for God outside.  He made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and took a soft drink, put them in his backpack, and went outside walking on a park pathway.

In his walk, he came across a park bench where an elderly lady was sitting.  He sat down beside her to rest and they started talking for a long time, and eventually they shared the lunch. 

Later, when the elderly lady got home, she realized that her depression was gone and that God had not abandoned her – He had sent her a young boy as a messenger.  She had found God in the young boy.

When the boy got home, his parents asked where he had been.  He said “I went out to find God.”  Did he find God?  Yes, I found God in a new friend!

The point of this story is that we need to look for God in others!

How appropriate this story is to current events happening in Houston, Louisiana, Florida, and now Puerto Rico, where there are fantastic examples of people caring for one another.  In thousands of different ways, people are finding God in others.

I recognize that we are removed from these tragedies and that most of us will support the relief efforts financially.  But we, as Knights, are challenged to also find God by serving others in our local community and in All Saints.  Think about it!  We might also find God in our Brothers while serving others.

I also think the following  verse from Sunday’s second reading is worthy of consideration for meditation:

“Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking for his own interests, but also for those of others.” Philippians 2: 3-4

Respectfully submitted,

Cy Henke
Council 15706 Lecturer
Vivat Jesus