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The level where you are called.

Today has been the first day I have not rushed eagerly to write what is on my mind since I started this journal. In fact, it's almost 9 p.m. and I'm only starting to collect my wits for today's entry.

Yesterday I discovered somebody else's journal but in low tech, a hardcover book.The journal is a daily devotional called The Joy in Loving. This is the entry for May 30:

It is so beautiful that we complete each other! What we are doing in the slums, maybe you cannot do. What you are doing at the level where you are called in your family life, in your college life, in your work we cannot do. But together you and we are doing something beautiful for God. Agnes Bojaxhiu, Mother Teresa

Every day I struggle with the idea of poverty. It is not as far from our lives as we would like to think. With a pang of fear and guilt I imagine what would Jesus do in my place. Would he give his riches away and live on the street? Would he forsake his career, abandon his social standing? Every person I see clinging to the edge of survival, every homeless child, every invalid begging on a sidewalk is a living reminder: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did to me." Brothers of mine. Did to me. Will I walk away, sad like the rich young ruler of Matthew 19:16-30, when Jesus comes for his people?

I will write more on this on another day. It's late now, I've spent half the night getting ready for a trip tomorrow. I'll write my thoughts on paper, and I expect I'll take a few days before I publish them.

SIGNING OFF.




Return to the Green Room, or to Day by Day.

email me at aeortiz@iname.com.



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