Today in the Dominicans in Drogheda the Novena to Our Lady of Fatima continues.
Fr. Maurice spoke today about the grey walls of a prison cell and how mundane things seem when one is left with the prospect of looking at these 4 grey walls. He spoke at length on how Jesus wants to remove the greyness in our lives. We are made in goodness, beauty and truth. This is how we see things when we see them through the eyes of Jesus Christ. Sin only enters the equation when we fail to look at things through Jesus' eyes.
Fr. Maurice went on to tell a wonderful story about an old school friend of his. He called him Charlie so no one would know who he was talking about and Mayhem because he could never stay out of trouble. Charlie at the age of 11 was out of control. His parents could not manage him so he was sent to stay with a group of priests and they too found him impossible. Poor Charlie ended up in jail for over nine years. One day he heard a voice saying to him see those beams overhead, hang yourself from them. Charlie got on his knees and began to recite the Hail Mary slowly. The more he recited it the more the voice disappeared. This was the start of Charlie's conversion. Charlie joined the Legion of Mary and returned one day to his Parish Priest with the gift of a miraculous medal. Charlie left the grey walls in his life behind him and found new life in Jesus Christ. He now is able to see beauty, goodness and truth all around him.
What a wonderful true story. How Charlie's parents must have rejoiced at his return to a good life filled with the love of Jesus Christ. Today God calls us to see life through His eyes. To see all the beauty, truth and goodness that he surrounds us with.