MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1962:

THE "BLESSED VIRGIN'S FOOL"

A day to remember for its spiritual teaching . . . The ecstasy of this Monday led Mari-Loli and Conchita to Alfonso's place, the one who was nicknamed, rather unkindly, "the village's fool." Having made the sign of the cross over his pillow and offered him the crucifix to kiss, the two visionaries explained the reasons for their gestures: "The Blessed Virgin told us, 'You hold him in contempt, but I love him' ".
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 150]

Wow! What a lesson for us! How many times have we looked upon certain people with contempt? I know I have. But after reading this statement of Our Blessed Lady many years ago, I really changed my outlook about others and tried to treat everyone equally. I remember how annoying driving in NYC was when at every traffic light there was a hobo trying to wipe my window with a dirty rag and looking for a handout. I went to confession one day (a Franciscan priest) and told him my thoughts about these people. The priest said, "You know, that 25 cents you could have gave the man, could have let him live one more night!" And then I also heard Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta say that she "sends people out to beg, cause that's their job in life, and always rejoices with them if someone gave them something." Boy did that change my outlook! I started to give away quarters like crazy and even my lunch or any fruit I had with me to make these people happy. If the Blessed Mother loves them, I better love them too! What do you think?
Deacon John