Making a difference...

  Father Ben spent hour upon hour on his Sunday homilies.  He eagerly wanted to share his insights with his parish family.  To Father Ben, reflecting on the the weekly readings and gospel with a good cup of coffee was like inviting Jesus to his kitchen table and having a heart to heart talk about life. Those moments at the kitchen table were some of his favorite every week.  He sometimes wondered, though, how many people were actually listening.  His heart felt warm with love as he delivered his homily, and yet he often experienced the unmoved, disinterested gaze of many of the parishioners.  Sometimes he wondered if he was making a difference at all.
  Years and years went by and Father Ben continued to faithfully preach the gospel.  Towards the end of his life, his genetically predisposed high blood pressure and heart disease took a toll on his body.  He spent his last days laying in a hospital bed, his worn bible within arms reach, and wondering...did I make a difference?  It was as a tear rolled down the side of his face that Jesus, himself, appeared at his bedside.
  Jesus was radiantly smiling as he embraced Father Ben.  Jesus poured Father Ben and himself a cup of coffee, picked up his bible and said, "The difference you made, Ben, is quite amazing.  Your homilies touched my children in ways you never knew.  Your words inspired, healed and strengthened so many.  Perhaps few came and said, 'Great homily, Father', but I saw them say it by the way they changed their lives.  You have been a good and faithful servant, come see what I have prepared for you for Eternity.  You shared your love for the Trinity with so many,  now the Father has chosen to magnify this outpouring of love a thousand times!  Soon you will see the difference you made."  Jesus then smiled and reached out for Father Ben's hand, and together they walked to the heavenly banquet table that was all prepared.
  To the world, Father Ben had peacefully passed away.  His nurse told his friends, "I was in the room checking his declining vitals, when suddenly I saw Father Ben's face light up with a smile I will never forget.  His eyes opened wide for a second as if he saw a close friend approaching.  With his last breath I heard him whisper, 'I love you.'  I wonder who he saw?"
  His friends had no doubt that those words "I love you" must have been for Jesus, for his friends had heard these words echoed for years in every homily Father Ben had given.  His friends shared some of their favorite memories of Father Ben before leaving his hospital room.  Larry sat quietly in the corner chair listening.  Silently he prayed for Father Ben's soul.  As he prayed,  he wished he had told Father Ben the impact he had on his life.  "Jesus, could you please let Father Ben know how much he inspired me and all those in the parish?  Thank you."  
  As Larry got up to leave he noticed the two half filled cups of coffee on Father Ben's bedside tray next to his bible.  As Larry picked up the bible Father Ben's nurse came back in the room and said, "Don't forget to take your coffee, too."
  "Oh, those aren't ours."  Larry replied.
  "Well that's strange", she said,  "No one else has been in this room today.  Just leave them there then, I'll take care of them."
  As Larry carried the bible out of the room, he pressed it close to his aching heart.  As he walked down the hall an unusual thought came him, "I think I'll buy a cup of coffee and spend some time reading the good book today."

-Susan