A Sermon in action

Example No.1:

One afternoon years ago, reporters and officials gathered at a Chicago train station, awaiting the arrival of a Nobel Prize winner. He stepped off the train - a giant of man, with bushy hair and a large mustache. As the cameras flashed, the officials extended their hands and began telling him how honored they were to meet him. The doctor thanked them and then, looking over their heads, asked if he might be excused for a moment.

Walking through the crowd with quick steps, he soon reached the side of an elderly woman who was having trouble trying to carry two large suitcases. He picked up the bags in his large hands and, with a kind of smile, escorted the woman to a bus. As the doctor helped her aboard, he wished her a safe journey. Then, since the crowd had tagged along behind him, he turned and apologized to them for keeping them waiting.

The man was Dr. Albert Schweitzer, the famous missionary-physician who had spent his life helping the poorest of the poor in Africa. Said a member of the reception committee to one of the reporters:

"That´s the first time I ever saw a sermon walking."

- Sandra from New York

Example No.2:

I met a man at a wedding party one day. He was in a wheelchair and cornered me for the better part of an hour. He was badly deformed and had been that way from birth. We had a very pleasant conversation and when I learned he had a job I asked what kind of work he did. He told me he was an engineer and worked for the state. I was impressed. I guess he could see that I was impressed and went on to say,

"I suppose some people would think that I should have been aborted, but I have had a terrific life, and I really love my work."

This man´s life is a living sermon. He doesn´t have to say a word.

- J. Girzone