A Divine Appointment

It had been my intention all along to stop by and visit Tim on my way home from jury duty. As I drove, I prayed that I would serve God's will in whatever way he wanted me to. I also felt a desire to comfort Tim's sister and father. I didn't know why, because I hardly knew them. We hadn't seen each other in years. Well, guess who was there with

Tim as I walked into his hospital room. His sister Virginia, and his father Jim. I could tell that they didn't recognize me, so I reintroduced myself. Then, I tapped Tim on the leg and said, "Hi, Tim." He gave a slight grunt (which I took as a greeting) as his eyelids quivered, but didn't open.

Virginia asked me to step into the hall with her, and she asked if I knew the seriousness of Tim's condition. I told her I did, and went on to explain my day at jury duty and at the church. Then she asked, "You're Catholic?"

I suddenly recalled a phone conversation with my sister-in-law the night before. She told me that Virginia wanted no one praying with Tim except for a Catholic priest. I didn't agree with Virginia's view, but I had to consider her feelings during this period of stress. I told her I was Catholic and quickly summarized my involvement with the church.

Then I turned to Tim. I put my hand on his hand momentarily, and then laid it on his head and held it there, praying a silent prayer.

As I lifted my hand from Tim's head, I turned toward Virginia and Jim to find them staring at me intently, tears welling up in their eyes. I felt so honored that they were trusting me, a person whom they hardly knew, with their dying brother and son. I smiled, hugged them both, and left.

As I walked into the hall, I could hardly contain myself. I returned home and told my wife and daughter that I felt in my heart that Tim would die that night. Six hours after I left him, we received a phone call informing us of Tim's death.

Let No One Be Lost

Suddenly, the events that took place the day before began to come into focus. I began to understand how Jesus uses all of us, sinners that we are, to be his hands and his voice to everyone we are in contact with. I began to realize: Jury duty was simply God's way to get me to church.

Confession, Mass, benediction, the chaplet-they were all means of purification before I was used as an instrument of God's mercy and love.

During my drive to visit Tim, my hunger to comfort his sister and father was a precursor of what would actually take place. The same hand that I envisioned as kissing the cheek of Jesus during benediction became the same hand God used to kiss Tim's head.

Tim did not receive the sacrament of the sick prior to my visit. Is it possible that God used my silent, wordless prayer, as I held my hand to Tim's head, as a kind of "last rites"?

Jesus never abandoned Tim! Tim wasn't aware of it, but now that I look back, I can see how he ministered to me in his last hours by showing me the faithful friendship of Jesus. Through all that had taken place, Tim was an awesome witness to me of God's great mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and love. He left us all with hope that we can all hold on to, joyful hope that is confirmed in Jesus' own words: "It is not the will of your heavenly

Father that one of these little ones be lost" (Matthew 18:14). We are his little ones as long as we seek out the truth and the way, which is Jesus. And if it is the Father's will that none of us be lost, then it is his will that we be saved. And if it is the Father's will that we be saved, then we will be, as long as we seek out Jesus.

The devotion of the THREE HAIL MARYS is a very simple yet most efficacious devotion.

Everyday, recite Three Hail Marys, adding the invocation: "O Mary, My Mother, keep me from mortal sin." Many people recite the Three Hail Marys as part of their morning and night prayers. To practice this devotion in time of danger, stress, special need or temptation, is a sure means to obtain Our Lady's help.

I am most grateful to Mother Mary for all the blessings she has showered on me and my family and thanks to the power of the 3 Hail Marys I have never been let down.

Alvito Vaz, NY

Dear Mother Mary, Help of Christians thank you for granting us a very special petition through the daily recitation of the 3 Hail Marys. Please continue to bless and protect us, dear Heavenly Mother.The Heldt Family, W. Australia

When working on an important document my system froze. It suddenly struck me to stop and pray the 3 Hail Marys. The team leader thought I was inefficient. The following day, the team leader faced the same problem and I realized that there was nothing wrong with my system. Thanks to the faithful recitation of the 3 Hail Marys the problem was solved. I'm so grateful to Our Lady and Don Bosco. Sheela