Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Juanita, rest in peace
This woman worked for a living, y'all. Sometimes I think all my runnin' around in life just amounts to runnin' around. Juanita just did what was before her to be done, and made a difference.
--ER
gracEmail ('THE LEAST OF THESE')
EDWARD FUDGE
Jan 16, 2005
When Sara Faye reads the newspaper she usually fills an hour, whereas I "read" it in about five minutes. As a result, she often points out interesting items that I completely miss. This week an obituary in our local Katy Times caught her eye and she saved it for me. As usual, her instincts were sound and I was touched and blessed by reading it. The obituary marked the death of Juana Munoz, who died at 7:00 a.m. on January 3, 2005 at LBJ Hospital -- a charity institution -- in Houston.
"Juanita," as her friends called her, was born in the ancient city of Guanajuato, Mexico. As a young wife and mother she moved to Mexico City. She could not read but she could wash dishes, so she got a job as dishwasher in a restaurant. When her husband died not long after, she raised their children alone, living in an adobe house with dirt floors and a cardboard roof. On her small property Mrs. Munoz raised chickens and pigs, giving the choice piglet of each new litter to her Catholic church. The years went by and her children became adults, instilled by their mother with faith in God and the value of honest work.
When she was about 60, Mrs. Munoz moved to Katy, Texas to be near her youngest son. Here she became known as "the tricycle lady," who arose at 4:00 every morning to pedal through Katy picking up cans which she sold for her income. At 8:30, she would regularly be found at morning Eucharist at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church, although the service was in English which she could neither speak nor understand. When diagnosed a few months ago with cancer, she informed her family and church with quiet contentment and peace. Before she died, Mrs. Munoz confessed regret that she was illiterate and could not read about God for herself.
The obituary ends with this tribute: "Her death brought many people to prayer and reflections, and her life touched many as an example of humbleness and faith." When we reach our earthly end, will the same be said about us? Lord Jesus, help me always to remember that we look on the outward appearance but you examine the heart. Make me ever sensitive to those whom you blessed with the title "the least of these."
____________________
© 2005 by Edward Fudge. Unlimited permission to copy without altering text or profiteering is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice. For encouragement and spiritual food any time, visit our multimedia website at www.EdwardFudge.com .
--ER
gracEmail ('THE LEAST OF THESE')
EDWARD FUDGE
Jan 16, 2005
When Sara Faye reads the newspaper she usually fills an hour, whereas I "read" it in about five minutes. As a result, she often points out interesting items that I completely miss. This week an obituary in our local Katy Times caught her eye and she saved it for me. As usual, her instincts were sound and I was touched and blessed by reading it. The obituary marked the death of Juana Munoz, who died at 7:00 a.m. on January 3, 2005 at LBJ Hospital -- a charity institution -- in Houston.
"Juanita," as her friends called her, was born in the ancient city of Guanajuato, Mexico. As a young wife and mother she moved to Mexico City. She could not read but she could wash dishes, so she got a job as dishwasher in a restaurant. When her husband died not long after, she raised their children alone, living in an adobe house with dirt floors and a cardboard roof. On her small property Mrs. Munoz raised chickens and pigs, giving the choice piglet of each new litter to her Catholic church. The years went by and her children became adults, instilled by their mother with faith in God and the value of honest work.
When she was about 60, Mrs. Munoz moved to Katy, Texas to be near her youngest son. Here she became known as "the tricycle lady," who arose at 4:00 every morning to pedal through Katy picking up cans which she sold for her income. At 8:30, she would regularly be found at morning Eucharist at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church, although the service was in English which she could neither speak nor understand. When diagnosed a few months ago with cancer, she informed her family and church with quiet contentment and peace. Before she died, Mrs. Munoz confessed regret that she was illiterate and could not read about God for herself.
The obituary ends with this tribute: "Her death brought many people to prayer and reflections, and her life touched many as an example of humbleness and faith." When we reach our earthly end, will the same be said about us? Lord Jesus, help me always to remember that we look on the outward appearance but you examine the heart. Make me ever sensitive to those whom you blessed with the title "the least of these."
____________________
© 2005 by Edward Fudge. Unlimited permission to copy without altering text or profiteering is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice. For encouragement and spiritual food any time, visit our multimedia website at www.EdwardFudge.com .
