Fr. John Riccardo, in the Rescue Project videos, shared stories of people who had responded to little nudgings with one simple step. What they could never have anticipated was where that one step would take them and how many people would be impacted.
One example was Rosa Parks who didn’t change seats that fateful day in Birmingham. She knew she could get in trouble, but she also knew in her soul that segregation laws were unjust. That all people were equal under God. In the moment, she had no idea that step would lead to a nationwide civil rights movement, but she knew that whatever happened Jesus would be with her, empowering her through the unknown.
Another inspiring example is a story of Servant of God Julia Greeley told on Hallow by Lisa Cotter. Born a slave in Missouri, Julia gained her freedom somewhere between the ages of 20-30, moved to Denver, and became a household servant for an influential family. The mistress introduced Julia to Catholicism and she embraced the faith, especially a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As part of her dedication, very month she would walk to each fire station in Denver to pass out red rosaries, Sacred Heart badges and leaflets that promoted that devotion so those brave men would be prepared for their death at any moment.
Fittingly, she herself died unexpectedly on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1918. Despite Julia having no family to pay condolences to, hundreds of mourners of every age, race, gender and economic status waited in line for hours to pay respect. Stories were shared and the secret life of Julia began to unfold. She had been serving the community as a modern-day St. Nicholas. She got to know her neighbors and made mental notes of their needs. One family might be hungry; another family needed a lamp; a teenage girl needed a party dress… When she learned that someone was in need, she would procure the needed items by using her meager earnings, begging on behalf of others, or giving away gifts intended for her. She delivered them to doors under cover of night so the recipients wouldn’t feel ashamed receiving help from a black woman. One step, silently, without glory. Easy enough for all of us to do.
Scripture: Read Philippians 2:3-4. What stands out to you?
Call to Action: What simple step can you take this week to humbly relieve a neighbor’s burden?
