說故事談聖心
Home > 2.媽媽的叮嚀

    兩個小孩慢慢地推開主教座堂沉重的門,拖着一個大菜籃,往祭台走去。六歲的德蘭教三歲多的妹妹若安向聖體請安。她們來到耶穌聖心台前,放下籃子,開始大聲祈禱。

德蘭先開口:「親愛的耶穌聖心,媽媽沒有東西給我們吃,我們肚子好餓,請祢將一些東西放在籃子裡給我們好嗎?」
小若安加上說:「拜託!耶穌,我真的很餓。」

她們跪了幾分鐘,感覺已過了很長的時間,但耶穌聖心都沒動靜,她們開始按耐不住。
若安小聲的向姊姊說:「天主大慨很忙吧。」

德蘭就向耶穌聖心說:「親愛的耶穌,我們知道祢很忙,因為祢要聆聽很多大人說話。我們將籃子留在這兒,待會兒我們再回來。」
她們向小孩的朋友(耶穌聖心)鞠個躬,就離開聖堂。

有一個婦人跪在柱子後面,沒有被這些小孩子看見。當她們出去以後,她匆忙地走出聖堂,到附近的一家商店,買了一些需要的食物,在小孩子還沒回來以前,將食物放在籃子裡。

這兩個小孩急急忙忙地順着走道回到耶穌聖心台前,發現她們的祈禱得到應允。若安要看見籃子裡有什麼東西,
但德蘭說要先感謝耶穌的臨在:

「親愛的耶穌聖心,謝謝祢對我們那麼好!」
若安接著說:「謝謝祢!耶穌,我愛祢。」

她們向耶穌聖心深深地鞠個躬,然後,拖着沉重的菜籃子,離開了主教座堂。
她們善心的恩人跟着出來,用車子帶她們回家。到了家,若安急步地奔向媽媽,告訴她親愛的耶穌已答應了她們的祈求。
這位訪客告訴周太太整個故事。

於是,周太太說出了她的困境-她雖是一流的裁縫師,總是找不到工作。
訪客問:「妳會製作女帽嗎?」
周太太答道:「我曾經做過那工作。」

訪客繼續說:「今天,耶穌聖心對我們兩個都太好了。我是很大間成衣公司的老闆,明天女帽部門的領班要離職。我正苦惱到那兒去找人來代替她。所以,我就到聖堂去求耶穌聖心的助佑,讓我找到一位可靠的人。祂藉着我答應了妳孩子們的祈求,因此祂也俯允了我的祈求。」

周太太走到她家的耶穌聖心像前,一盞小燈還亮着,輕聲細語的祈禱:
「耶穌聖心,祢從沒有讓我失望,我相信祢,我依靠祢。」


2.The Market Basket

        The heavy door of the great Cathedral was pushed slowly open and two little children, carrying a large market basket, came up the aisle.

        Theresa, age six, instructed Joan, who was not yet four, how to genuflect.    They then went to the shrine of the Sacred Heart and, having deposited their basket, knelt in prayer.   Thinking they were alone in the church, they prayed aloud. Theresa spoke first:  “Dear Sacred Heart, mother has nothing to give us to eat and we are hungry. Will you please put something in our basket?”   Little Joan added,    “Please do, Jesus.   I am hungry, too.”

        The children knelt still for a few minutes, which seemed a very long time to them.   As the Sacred Heart did not appear to listen to their request, they began to grow restless. Joan whispered to her sister, “Perhaps God is busy.”   Theresa then said to the Sacred Heart,  “Dear Jesus, we know You are busy.   There are so many grown people to listen to, but we shall leave the basket and come back in a little while.”   Wafting a kiss to the Friend of little children, they left the church.

        A woman, unperceived by the little ones, had been kneeling behind a pillar. When they had gone, she hurried out and, going to the nearest store, purchased some necessary food and returned in time to place her parcels in the basket before the children re-entered the church.

        Quickly the little ones hurried up the aisle and saw that their prayer had been answered.   Joan wanted to examine the contents of the basket, but Theresa said it would not be polite to God.   “We must thank Jesus for His presents,” said Theresa.   “Thank You, dear Sacred Heart, for being so good to us!” was the prayer  that reached the Heart of God.   Joan added, “Thank You, Jesus.   I love You as big as the church.”   Another kiss was wafted to Jesus, and the children, half dragging the heavy basket, left the Cathedral.

        Their kind benefactress followed and offered to drive the little ones home. Directed by Theresa, they soon reached their destination.   Joan ran quickly to mother to tell her how the dear God had answered their prayer.   The visitor explained to Mrs. Jones what had happened.   Then the mother told her distress: although she was a first-class dressmaker, she was unable to obtain employment.   “Do you understand millinery?” asked the visitor.   “I have had experience in that work,” was the reply.   “Surely the Heart of Jesus has been good to us both today,” continued the stranger.   “I am the owner of a large dry goods store and the head of the millinery department is leaving tomorrow.   I was at a loss as to where to find a substitute so I went to ask the Heart of Jesus to guide me to a trustworthy person.   He has allowed me to answer for Him the prayers of your children, and, by so doing, has also granted my request.”   Mrs. Jones turned to a picture of the Sacred Heart before which a little lamp was burning. She softly whispered.   “Sacred Heart of Jesus, I shall never fail in trust again!”