732. Even After Helping a Blind Elderly Man Receive Baptism, I Faced Jealous Gazes

💌732. Even After Helping a Blind Elderly Man Receive Baptism, I Faced Jealous Gazes

On the day the elderly man was to receive Baptism, I went to his house early in the morning with my youngest, Philip. “Father! Your daughter is here. Today is finally your Baptism Day!” I greeted him cheerfully. Philip also said, “Congratulations, Grandpa!” and shared in the joy. We gave him the food we had brought, helped him brush his teeth, dressed him in new clothes, and then I carried him on my back all the way to the church.

I also pinned a flower to his chest and arranged for Mr. Deuk-moon (John) Lee, the community president, to be his godfather. He was baptized during Mass. This elderly man, blind and having lived alone without anyone’s help—how deeply moving it was to see him now, newly born as a child of the Lord! When I saw him go to Confession, just as I had taught him, and receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time, tears of emotion streamed down my face.

I cried out to the Lord: “O merciful Lord! I give You infinite thanks for allowing elderly man Bong to be born anew as Your son, Andrew. Please open the eyes of his soul through the light of the Sacrament of Baptism and with Your holy Body and Blood—the wondrous medicine for both soul and body—completely heal all the wounds of his soul and body. And may You dwell forever in his kind and gentle heart.”

What immense joy and fulfillment this was! There must nothing more precious in this world than proclaiming God and making Him known, so that souls who do not know Him may be saved. “If only I could share the love of God, is there anything I would not be willing to do?” It felt as if I had returned to the very day of my own Baptism—I was overwhelmed with joy beyond measure.

From that time on, I carried the elderly man on my back to church every Sunday. At the time, my waist was only 24 inches, and I weighed just 53 kilograms, but because I was doing it with the power of love, carrying him never felt heavy—I was simply filled with joy. When I was in pain and the journey became difficult, I would walk alongside him for a while, then carry him again, to help him attend Sunday Mass.

However, some parishioners and many others pointed fingers at me and sneered coldly, saying, “She must have some hidden motive.” But whenever that happened, I simply responded with a smile. I offered it up, practicing Semchigo as if I were loved by them and did not take it to heart. In fact, the thought that my presence might be causing them to sin made me feel deeply sorry for them.

Although there were people who criticized and judged me, the elderly man greatly enjoyed going to church with me. Whenever I came to his house to take him to Sunday Mass, he was already prepared in advance. I always dressed him in clean, new clothes before we went to church. For many years, he had never even dreamed of going out on his own.

But now that he was able to go all the way to church, he happily said, “Thanks to you, ma’am, I am truly grateful to be able to attend Mass.” Seeing his joy made me happier than anything else. So I offered up all the judgment I received, practicing Semchigo as if I were loved by Jesus and offered it up for their repentance.

Thinking of us as brothers and sisters in the Lord, sharing in the living Body and Blood of Jesus and being one family, I came to feel as if the elderly man were truly my own father. So, I served him with even greater devotion. I said to him, “Grandpa, do not feel lonely anymore. I am your daughter now. You have many grandchildren, so do not worry. Eat well and pray with a peaceful heart.”

The elderly man said with concern, “I am not good at praying... What should I do? I cannot even pray the Rosary well.” From the very beginning, I had asked the Blessed Mother to protect him and had gently placed a rosary in his hand. I told him, “God knows your kind and sincere heart, so just keep the rosary tightly in your hand at all times.

Whenever it comes to mind, just say, “Jesus, I do not know how to pray. But Jesus, I love You. Blessed Mother, I love You. Please help me live only according to Your will.” And when I come, we can pray Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be together. And we can also pray the Rosary together. Right?” The elderly man’s face lit up and he said, “Ah, that sounds good. That is great. Yes, I will do that.” Having been baptized and become a Catholic, he had felt burdened by the thought that he now had to pray diligently—but with those words, it was as if he had laid that heavy burden down.

Together with the elderly man, I prayed and offered heartfelt thanks to the Lord and the Blessed Mother: “Thank You, Lord. Thank You, Blessed Mother. Please continue to watch over this angelic elderly man. Throughout his life, he has received not comfort but only wounds from others. Now, I will care for him with a heart that receives him as if he were You, Jesus. Please allow him to meet You in joy. Thank You so very much.” 

Then the Lord spoke to me: “My beloved Little Soul! Thank you. Everything you give to the least is comfort to My wounded Heart. It is also like a sweet rain that quenches My thirst; I who long for love, anxiously awaiting little souls who are simple and kind.”

My personal reflection note with Mama Julia🌹💗 

Link 👇🏻

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