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The Way of Love for the Lord
Chapter 61. The parable of the donkey on which Jesus sat (February 9, 1983)
When I was awaiting the bus headed for Naju in Gwangju bus terminal after visiting my parents-in-law’s house, I happened to see Anastasia carrying two large bundles, one on her head and the other in her hand. When our eyes met, she came up to me and said, “Julia, I've just returned from Busan city, where I cured many patients myself. These bundles are full of the gifts they gave me as a token of gratitude for their healings.” I was dumbfounded at her boastfulness because I had always thought that the remark - I cured the sick myself - did not make any sense unless he or she was a doctor. I had also heard the similar words from some volunteers working for the charismatic movement. This day my heart ached much because of her bragging. ‘Even if we have received the gift of healing, it is not us but the Lord who heals the sick or drive out demons. He works through humans. He only makes use of us, unworthy ones, as His instruments for a little while in case of necessity.’ I was immersed in this meditation all the way back to Naju. My heart was continuously calling upon the Lord. Then a few thoughts about volunteers for the charismatic movement and members of the Legion of Mary revolved in my mind. ‘If we work more humbly following the Blessed Mother and give all glory to the Lord, we will receive greater graces and do more work for the Lord. How numerous are those who have snatched away the glory that the Lord alone deserves? When Jesus entered Jerusalem mounted on a donkey, many of the crowds spread their cloaks and palm branches on the road and hailed him with acclamations. If the donkey thought, ‘Crowds are hailing my master this fervently’ and walked on the road softly and carefully to fulfill its duty, Jesus would be safe. But if the donkey mistakenly thought, ‘Ah, these crowds are hailing me now’ and jumped with joy, Jesus would fall down or be in a danger of falling from the donkey jumping up and down with delusion and thus become an object of ridicule. If all the children called by the Lord always work humbly with the graces that they've received, giving all glory to the Lord alone and do all the work with humility and love, it will be like mending His torn Heart and pulling out the thorns and nails driven deeply into His Heart.’ I prayed, “Lord, my Beloved! I am an unworthy sinner. You've called me because You've loved me. Therefore, enwrap me with the armor of humility every day and at every moment lest I become proud or attach great importance to my self-respect. Please keep me safe and protect me so that I may never make a mistake of trying to remove the speck from others’ eyes while failing to see the plank in my own eyes. As I intend to offer myself up only for Your glory, let me breathe and live only in You.” “O My beloved little soul! I feel much pain in My Heart because there are souls who even boast of making Me known in the vain spirituality where their hypocrisy and greed are hidden. However, I am comforted because there are little souls like you who give glory to Me with love and affection only by calling upon My Name.”
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