The mystery of faith - reconciliation

by Lucille O’Donnell

There is a true story of an elderly man, who separated from his wife and children for over thirty years, one day, reached out for love. This man is Joe Smarzik of Walnut Grove, MN. It was near Christmas, and Joe, unable to bear the thought of spending another Christmas alone, placed a want ad in the Tracy Headline Herald, the local newspaper at Tracy, MN. The ad read: Wanted: One family to eat Christmas dinner with. I will furnish the turkey. A minister in Tracy, seeing the ad, called Joe and invited him to Christmas dinner with his family. This story as told by Deanne Edwards, an author, composer and singer, reached the Associated Press and was published in major city newspapers across the country, including the Minneapolis Star Tribune Deanne later wrote a song and a book entitled, Wanted, One Family.

As this story unfolds, Joe becomes very ill, and while in the area drives himself to the Slayton, MN hospital. The hospital staff, not knowing whom to call to notify of his illness, reached into his wallet and found a note with the name and number of Joann. Joann, a daughter, came to the hospital and reconciliation slowly began.

Any healthcare professional can tell you stories of dying patients who wait and wait for a prodigal son or daughter to come to be reconciled and then, lets go. Let us look deeply into our hearts to search for anyone who may need our reconciliation.

Reconciliation

Pardon & Peace

Holy Week

This is the Night

Nurturing Faith

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