742. Permission Was Granted on the Condition That I Also Help Young People Receive Eye Surgery

💌 742. Permission Was Granted on the Condition That I Also Help Young People Receive Eye Surgery

At that time, I did not do anything according to my own will but only after seeking permission from the priest and obeying in submission. Even if I was just going to Gwangju, I would report it to the priest before going. So, I could not simply decide on my own to arrange surgery for elderly man Andrew Bong just because I wanted to. After securing the ophthalmologist’s commitment to perform the surgery, I went to the parish priest to inform him and seek his permission.

To my surprise, the parish priest said, “Ms. Julia, that is a wonderful idea!” and even thanked me! I believed, “The Lord is truly making the elderly man’s surgery go smoothly!” I bowed deeply several times and said, “Thank you so much for your permission, Father,” to the priest, who kindly and readily approved my request. Then I returned home with a joyful heart.

But the next day, I received an unexpected phone call from the priest. “Julia,” he said, “after speaking with the Sister, I have come to think that helping Mr. Andrew Bong get eye surgery may not be appropriate.” His words struck me like a bolt of lightning. Shocked, I asked, “Pardon me, Father—why the sudden change?”

He replied, “What would be the use of restoring the sight of an elderly man who could pass away at any time? It seems more appropriate to use the money for surgery on one of the young people instead, as they have bright futures.”

After finally securing the doctor’s agreement for the surgery with great difficulty, I grew anxious when faced with the priest’s unexpected opposition. Desperately, I pleaded again, “Dear Father, this is my heartfelt wish. Please allow Mr. Andrew Bong’s surgery at least. I promise to arrange surgeries for all the young people you bring me as well.”

Then the priest said, “Hmm… If that is the case, try talking to the Sister.” I felt a little bit disappointed because I had thought Sister Emmanuela, who usually understood me well, was the one opposing it for that reason. How heartbreaking it is to think that someone cannot even have eye surgery just because they are old!

Still, I practiced Semchigo as if the Father and the Sister were united with me. I offered up my aching heart as a prayer for their spiritual growth, turning it into the Prayer of life. I had to obey the Father’s words and also receive permission from the Sister. Faced with this unexpected obstacle, I cried out to the Lord in my heart, “O my Jesus! Please unite the hearts of the priest and the sister with mine.”

While I was praying, I met with the Sister and began talking with her.

She said, “Ms. Julia, that man is nearing the end of his life. Even if he undergoes surgery and regains his sight, how much longer do you think he will live? So instead of wasting precious money and time on someone with no hope, let us use that money for a young person with a promising future.”

The sister’s firm words left me feeling utterly hopeless, but I offered it up through Semchigo as if it were a plea to the Lord and the Blessed Mother. I said earnestly, “Dear Sister, please bring me all the young people who need surgery. I will help them receive it too. In return, please just allow Mr. Andrew Bong to have his surgery. Please, will you not allow it?”

But the sister still insisted, “Still, he is just too old. He is over 85, and I heard his optic nerves are completely damaged. How can you consider surgery for someone who has no chance of seeing again, even 0.01%? And even if he does regain his sight, how much longer would he live, you think?”

I was nearly in tears as I pleaded with her. “Dear Sister, if he could open his eyes and see the bright world even for just one day, I would not regret it. Even if he does not regain sight after the surgery, it would not be a regret. Because one day, he told me, ‘There is one wish I have before I leave this world.’ So I asked him what it was. And he said, ‘If I could see your face just once before I die, I would have no other wishes.’”

Then, I explained a little about the elderly man Bong and asked, “Sister, you will give your permission, right? Please?”

She smiled and said, “Oh dear, you really are something else. Alright, alright. How can you be so innocent and childlike? Fine, I have been won over by your love, Ms. Julia. Do as you wish.” And with that, she gave her permission.

I gave infinite thanks to the Lord and the Blessed Mother. In the end, after many twists and turns, it was finally decided that he would receive the eye surgery. “Sister, once the elderly man gets his surgery, I promise I will help the young people get theirs too. I will arrange the surgeries and take care of them personally. If you know anyone in need, please be sure to let me know!”

I left the parish with permission granted on the condition that I would also help young people with surgery. “Lord, my Beloved! I thank You with all my heart. Nothing is impossible for You. Let Your will be done. Amen.”

My personal reflection note with Mama Julia🌹💗 

Link 👇🏻

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