I Saw Jesus Today
Author: Paul Drew
Summary
The events depicted in this collection of inspirational stories are true. Drew writes in the foreword, “I believe more than I believe anything in this world that Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist.” He continues, “I also believe that the Church … is not a building … Just as Jesus is present in the Eucharist, He is also present in each and every one of us. All we need do to find Him is look to His People, the Church.” The stories range from the mundane—tossing a ball in the park—to the exotic—meeting Jesus in the land of the pyramids.
About the Author
Paul Drew is a Benedictine Oblate, affiliated with Newark Abbey, Newark, New Jersey. He has twice been asked to serve as Chaplain of the American Legion, Department of New Jersey. He is a former lecturer and Associate Director of Writing at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, New Jersey. His memoir of the Vietnam era, After the Storm: A Vietnam Veteran’s Reflections, appeared in 1999; a novel, Jenny 4, appeared in 2004.
About the Illustrator
Father Beatus Lucey, O.S.B., a Benedictine monk at St. Mary’s Abbey, Morristown, New Jersey, was ordained in 1959. His responsibilities at St. Mary’s have included Prior, Headmaster of Delbarton School, and Art Teacher. He is the Advisor in Liturgical Art for many parish churches and also serves as Chaplain for the Sisters of Charity at Convent Station, New Jersey. Father Beatus resides with his confreres at St. Mary’s Abbey.
Reviews
“Truly inspiring meditations. I don’t think I have read anything so powerful in a while. It’s the kind of reading that calls for reflection” (Sr. Julitta Heinen, Sisters of Christian Charity, Philosophy Professor, Assumption College, Mendham, New Jersey)
“Just like Mary Magdalene being surprised to find Jesus in the garden, and declaring: ‘I have seen the Lord!’ so Paul Drew’s ‘gem’ of a book reveals a wonderful assortment of his own recognition of being surprised by the Presence of the Risen Jesus! By his well-tuned vision and deep sharing, Paul coaches us in the art of recognizing the abiding Presence of Jesus in expected and unexpected, ordinary and remarkable ways! … a great piece of prayerful reflection” (Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem, St. Norbert Abbey, DePere, Wisconsin)
“Most of us encounter the Risen Lord Jesus through the Sacraments, the Scriptures, and th3e beauty of Creation many times in the course of a lifetime. Often we fail to see Him in our daily encounters with other people. In I Met Jesus Today Paul Drew gives wonderful examples of how he has met Jesus in ordinary events of daily living. It is truly a wonderful book which I could not put down until I read every page. I would encourage every pilgrim to read this superb reflection on one man’s exciting journey” (Fr. Patrick Hurley, O.S.B., Guestmaster and Retreat Center Director, St. Mary’s Abbey, Morristown, New Jersey).
First Chapter: ON THE NUMBER TWO TRAIN
“God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God.” (1 Corinthians, 1:27-29)
It was early in the morning, about 5:30, so there weren’t many passengers traveling to uptown Manhattan. Sitting alone, a rag-tag, scruffy bearded man was talking loudly and gesturing as though he were arguing with someone. My first inclination was that he was probably drunk, despite the time of day. I avoided him, as did the other handful of people in the car. A forty-something woman boarded at 59th Street, sat across from him, then nonchalantly opened a paperback she had drawn from her tote bag.
Not sure whether to warn her or try to protect her in some way—from what I didn’t know exactly—I did nothing except keep my eyes on both of them. Although his voice and language were as rough as his appearance, the seasoned female commuter remained unfazed. No problem, I thought. After all, this is New York, the presence of a man like this, unfortunately, is not that uncommon. When she closed her book and rose, I figured that she was either getting off at 96th Street or was simply moving to another seat. Wrong. She sat next to the man and began talking with him—more listening than speaking, actually.
He continued to wave his gnarled and dirty hands as he spoke, but his tone became more civil. She nodded respectfully as she looked into his eyes. He kept talking, gesturing less, and made sporadic eye contact with her.
As the train approached my stop—145th Street, the next to last station on the Number 2 line—I stood at the door near the unlikely pair. “Yes, yes,” I heard her reply softly to an incoherent comment from the man. Satisfied she was in no danger, I got off and walked the three blocks to the bodega where I pick up my daily coffee and donut. Outside near the doorway sat an elderly man in a wheelchair, a man I see there often.
“Would you like a container of coffee,” I asked.
“Sure,” he said, “milk and four sugars.”
I saw Jesus today. He brought peace to a troubled man that no one else, myself included, would even sit near. His courage and empathy exposed my weakness and apathy. His gentle-ness, not the loving words I could not hear, laid bare the callousness I was willing to tolerate in myself.
I saw Jesus today. I turned my back on him, blissfully ignorant of his suffering. I did not join the chorus of the centuries that might have said, “Crucify him,” but neither did I offer to take up his cross.
I saw Jesus today and He spoke to me. “Sure,” He said, “milk and four sugars.”
Ordering Information
Ordering Information
I Saw Jesus Today
Paul Drew
Price: $6.95
Postage and Handling: $2.00
NJ Residents: Add 7% sales Tax ($.49)
Phone: 732-489-3195
Fax: 732-449-6167
E-mail: Charleson@optonline.net
ISBN: 0-9754805-0-2 |
© Copyright 2008. AtlasBooks®, BookMasters®, Inc.
All rights reserved.
