As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along
with
all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in  many
piles.

An Angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a
tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how
ragged and empty each of my squares was.

They were filled with giant holes.

Each square was labeled with a part of
my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations
I was faced with in everyday life.

I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me.  Nobody else had such squares.

 Other than a tiny hole here and there,
the other tapestries were filled with rich color
and the bright hues of worldly fortune.

 I gazed upon my own life and was
disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and
empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the
light, the scrutiny of truth.

The others rose, each in turn, holding up their tapestries.
So filled their lives had been.

My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame.

I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes.

I had love in my life, and laughter.

But there had also been trials of illness, and death,
and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it.

 I had to start over many times.

I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only
to somehow muster the strength to pick up and
begin again.

I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help
and guidance in my life.

I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully,
each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I
would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who
unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth.  My life was what it was, and I had to
accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.

An awe-filled gasp filled the air.  I gazed around at the others who
stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me.

Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ.

Then our Lord stood before me, with
warmth and love in His eyes.

He said, "Every time you gave over your life
to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.  Each point of
light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through,
until there was more of  Me than there was of you."

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine
through.
 
 
 
 

We the people of Saint Martha Parish Community,
empowered by the Holy Spirit, commit ourselves to live and share in our daily lives the mission, message and Love of Jesus Christ