Can I Get a Witness

Today at Mass I sat next to an elderly couple. The gentleman had some sort of advanced state of Parkinson's, or so it appeared. The dear man could barely control his arms, shoulders, and neck. I was feeling so much for him, and I was struck by two images that won't leave me anytime soon. This man was gripped his Rosary with such fervor before Mass. It was clear that he had to hold on for dear life or they would fly out of his hands. I thought to myself, "Do I grip my Rosary with such intensity? Do I cling to Our Lady with the love that this man does?" The other image that has been staying with me is the image of this same man trying to beat his breast at the "Lord, have mercy." I give myself a little tap out of devotion to remind myself of my sinfulness, but the struggle this man had to endure to raise him arm and then to beat his chest just blew me away. He is already so humbled in his physical state, and yet he did everything in his power to raise his fist to his heart and lower himself before Christ.

It is true the the least (in the world's terms) will be the greatest. They already are.