Third Friday of Lent: Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

“He is One and there is no other than he.
And to love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding,
with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself
is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” – Mk. 12:33

My mother, sister, and I moved out to a place of our own in Boston when I was 13. We didn’t have much, just a bed and dresser to our name. Someone mom knew from church introduced us to Sister Bridget to help furnish our apartment.

Sister Bridget was a white haired purple frosted tips angel. She always had a smile on her face. Warmth radiated from her even on a cold Saturday when she came to pick us up and took us to the basement of a local church that sold second hand furniture.

Since we only had $250 to spend on furniture, my mother was conservative on what we can and cannot buy. Sister Bridget didn’t have that worry. She picked out our furniture, spoke to the clerk, and arranged for its delivery. That night, our three bedroom apartment was fully furnished with beds, dressers, a couch, a rocking chair, and a dining room table and chairs.

My mother thanked her when she came to check up on us a week after to make sure we had everything we needed. With a smile, she responded, “I’m just doing God’s work.”

There have been other glimpses of God since; however, Sister Bridget remains a significant symbol of God’s love. Her willingness to give to someone she just met without asking for anything in return continues to astound me. She taught me a valuable lesson in life – how to love and give fully as God has loved and provided for us.

Lord, please help me continue to embrace and share your love with others.

Reflected by Anonymous