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Steve Horka, a LAMP
Missionary since 2001 has
been working with a young
man named Santiago[i]
at a residential treatment
program for boys. When
Santiago, about age fifteen,
first arrived, he was
depressed and despondent.
Steve invited him to Mass
and Thursday night
gatherings. When Steve
invited him, he simply
suggested that going to
Church would help Santiago,
and might even make him feel
better. Santiago accepted
the invitation. At first,
there was no outward sign
that anything was happening
with Santiago. Then he told
Steve, “I like coming to
Church. It makes me feel
good inside.”
One night, Steve showed the
movie Maldonado Miracle
to Santiago and some other
youngsters. The story takes
place just beyond the border
of Mexico, Santiago’s place
of birth. The movie focuses
on a crucifix. Blood is
flowing from the image of
the suffering Christ on the
cross, and it proves to be a
source of strength and
healing for those who
approach with faith.
Relationships are healed.
One healed relationship is
between a small boy reunited
with his father. During the
movie, Santiago was moved to
tears. Following the film,
he immediately wanted his
mom to see the movie, too.
He wanted her to come back
to the Church. Borrowing
the video cassette, Santiago
did indeed watch it with his
mom. Recently, he watched
another story about St. Juan
Diego. Once again, he asked
to borrow the movie to watch
with his mom.
Epilogue
God is touching Santiago’s
life, and his mother’s,
through Steve. He continues
to go to church. The
sapling is growing, but not
without danger. The man is
watering, but not without
the water of tears and the
source of living water, the
Holy Spirit. The story is
not over by any means. A
strong and mighty oak may
result, but the mystery of
Santiago’s growth and
outcome are in God’s hands.
Several questions remain,
however. How will we
respond? Is the Story of
the Man and the Sapling
just a nice story – somebody
else’s story? Or will we
make it our story? The
Master Gardener has given us
seeds, water and tools to
tend the garden. What will
we do?
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