After the check-up was over and all was well, as he was leaving, the priest thanked the doctor and said the usual "God bless!"
To his surprise, the doctor replied, "God does not exist!"
Father Ignatius hesitated for a split-second and then said, "May He bless you all the same!"
The doctor would not let go, he said calmly, "How can He bless me if He does not exist?"
The priest smiled and walked away without saying a word.
As he walked home to Parish House, Father Ignatius pondered that sometimes in life we meet up with an immovable object. There is no point in exerting ourselves trying to move it. It is wasted effort if it is immovable.
It was obvious that the young doctor was set in his ways. He was sure that God did not exist and would not waste an opportunity to prove his point. The mere words "God bless" to him were just like waving a red rag to a bull. It was a challenge not to be missed. It was pointless debating the issue.
As he approached St Vincent Church and his house, Father Ignatius wondered, "Does God bless anyone when we ask Him? What is a blessing anyway?" he asked himself.
"It is to ask God to look favourably on someone," he concluded. And in this particular case, it is also asking God to have mercy on this young misguided man. Praying that he might, perhaps, with God's grace, meet up with an opportunity to change his mind.
"Our greatest gift to such people is to pray for them," he remarked silently as he entered home.
MORE FATHER IGNATIUS STORIES HERE
So...What is a blessing...?
ReplyDeleteA special favor, mercy, or benefit: the blessings of liberty,
a favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness,
the invoking of God's favor upon a person...!
So let's hope that a small event in his life, maybe in his
work, will happen, to change his ideas in the ways of
God, and hopefully reply the words "God Bless" to
perhaps a patient who says it to him...!
In the meantime the doctor should learn one special
word we ALL use during the course of the day...
And that word is 'Thankyou"..! :).
✨💛✨💛✨💛✨💛✨💛✨✨💛✨💛✨
I agree, Willie. This man was set in his ways and sure of himself - for the time being.
DeleteGod bless.
...was he a skilled doctor?
ReplyDelete?
DeleteGod bless, Tom.
😊 I think so too.
ReplyDeleteAmen Sandi. God bless.
DeleteWhat a sad soul! It's difficult to pray for those whose points of view we can't understand or accept -- but what other choice is there? I suspect there have been many times my parents and others prayed for me even when I wasn't very likeable.
ReplyDeleteI doubt you were ever not likeable, Mevely. But I'm sure your parents and others prayed for you often - and there prayers have been answered.
DeleteGod bless always.
A seed may just have been planted though and it just might make that doctor think differently some time in the future.
ReplyDeleteYou never know how God will work in someones life.
You're right, Happyone. By just saying "God bless" it may well make a non-believer think. It is our way of spreading God's Word.
DeleteGod bless.
A sad young man, indeed, Victor. We are to pray for unbelievers as well as fellow Christians - God doesn't need our permission to perform miracles.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Indeed. A small prayer will work wonders in someone's life.
DeleteGod bless, Martha.
Dearest Victor,
ReplyDeleteFather Ignatius was a very wise man and it is so true that the very best we can do is pray for those that reject God.
That at some point they might start thinking about religion...
Hugs,
Mariette
Sometimes it is of no use debating with someone set in his ways. Prayers are the best option, Mariette.
DeleteGod bless always.
💯
DeleteI love it when anyone knows how to teach with a story. Many ministers could learn from this.......
ReplyDeleteLove from here and as always, thanks for the prayers, and May God BLESS YOU!
Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers, Jack. Much appreciated. Praying for you all always.
DeleteGod bless.
So true! Many people i know and care about do not believe, and i pray for them a lot.
ReplyDeleteLet us all pray together, Mimi. God bless.
Delete