The expectant faith of children is so powerful and seems to
really touch the heart of God. Let me share a story to illustrate that.
really touch the heart of God. Let me share a story to illustrate that.
Eight year old Francisco was really looking forward to his
First Communion when he would receive the Eucharist for the first time. We had
been preparing the children all year, telling them what a special event this
was, and they were all so excited. Francisco’s family would be there at the
Mass, and in order to celebrate afterwards, he asked his dad, “Can we have chicken for dinner?” Now that
might not seem like a big request, but Francisco’s dad makes $65 a week, $20
of which goes toward rent. Chicken was not something they normally could
afford, so he answered, “Well, son, whatever we have available that day is
what we will have. If it is possible, I will buy you some chicken. If not,
whatever we have…” Little Francisco just smiled and skipped off. That was 3 weeks before the scheduled day.
First Communion when he would receive the Eucharist for the first time. We had
been preparing the children all year, telling them what a special event this
was, and they were all so excited. Francisco’s family would be there at the
Mass, and in order to celebrate afterwards, he asked his dad, “Can we have chicken for dinner?” Now that
might not seem like a big request, but Francisco’s dad makes $65 a week, $20
of which goes toward rent. Chicken was not something they normally could
afford, so he answered, “Well, son, whatever we have available that day is
what we will have. If it is possible, I will buy you some chicken. If not,
whatever we have…” Little Francisco just smiled and skipped off. That was 3 weeks before the scheduled day.
On the very morning of the celebration, we received a
donation of 293 boxes of chicken. A company called us saying that they had an
unexpected surplus and that if we would come and pick it up, the chicken was
ours. So we did. The chicken pieces were breaded and seasoned – they only
needed to be fried to serve.
donation of 293 boxes of chicken. A company called us saying that they had an
unexpected surplus and that if we would come and pick it up, the chicken was
ours. So we did. The chicken pieces were breaded and seasoned – they only
needed to be fried to serve.
Every family present that day, including Francisco’s of
course, was given a 10 lb. bag of chicken to take home with them. Not only did
he get chicken for his dinner that day, his entire class and all their families
got chicken, too.
course, was given a 10 lb. bag of chicken to take home with them. Not only did
he get chicken for his dinner that day, his entire class and all their families
got chicken, too.
Oh, the faith of a child!