羅若望很快的走到街上，在聖堂前停了一下，是為了對時，他決定停下來，也是為了趕著去面試而請求天主的降福。

耶穌聖心節，祭台上有美麗的花和蠟燭，聖時已經開始了。

講道者說：「我們要完全依靠耶穌聖心，祂照顧我們，使我們得到所有的好處。」

若望參加了聖體降福後就匆匆的離開聖堂，因為他和銀行經理的約會已經遲到了，他很希望能得到那家銀行的錄用。

走進銀行，他發現一位神士在那兒等著，他覺得納悶，不知道能不能面試？裡面辨公室的門開了，經理出來先向長者致敬，然後轉向若望對他說：

   「你遲到了，是什麼原因？」

   若望勇敢的回答：「我進入聖堂，想幾分鐘就出來，但是聖時已經開始，在結束以前我不能離開。」

   經理回答：「這就定了，我們不要雇用天主教徒，你可以走了。」

   若望很安祥的回答：「我不認為我的宗教信仰和我的商業能力有關，我是誠實而可信賴的。」

   當他要離開時，那位神士長者說：

   「把你的住址留下來，也許有一天，我需要一位年輕人為我服務。」

   若望謝謝他，就遞一張名片給他。

   雖然若望非常失望，很擔心的告訴他的母親他是無用的人，他的小妹看著他，一眼就知道事情不妙，當重述面試的故事時，羅太太輕聲說：

  「耶穌聖心一定不會捨棄我們，我們的九日敬禮，今天早上才結束，我們一定相信祂，祂所做的都是最好的。」

   第二天下午，若望的母親躺在客廳的卧榻上，他坐著用扇子扇他的母親，門鈴響了，妮莉引導一位神士進來，他就是前天若望跟他說話的那一位，訪客馬上就說：

   「我是蓋先生，是生意人，首先我願意羅太太知道，她有一個值得驕傲的兒子。」然後他向孩子說：

   「我注意到你會控制自己，勇敢維護自己的宗教，我敢確定一個忠於自己信仰神的人，一定會忠心的照顧我的生意的；我需要一位秘書，希望你高興的接受這個職位，銀行經理不知道我在歐洲已經是一個天主教徒，我的太太和女兒還在那兒，她們也是天主教徒，我是那個銀行的股東，但是我將把我生意的利潤轉到另一個公司。」

若望做了蓋先生的秘書已經好多年了，他的小家庭也過得很好，他的媽媽身體很健康，因為她不再有任何煩惱了。

耶穌聖心節清晨，若望回家，告訴他母親，今天是他的假日，他要帶母親和妮莉去兜風，他們在城外開了幾哩路的車，轉入了新蓋的有閣樓的小平房的汽車專用道：

   「誰住在這兒？」

   兒子回答說：「一些朋友，要我們拜訪她們的家。」

   一個女傭人來開門，若望馬上領著媽媽和小妹妮莉走進屋子。

  「哇！」妮莉大叫，「這是我們已經計畫好，當我們有錢時要蓋的房子！」

若望笑著領她們上樓，進到屋子的前廳，她們看到一尊耶穌聖心像和點燃的燈，耶穌聖心伸開的手上，有一張卡片貼在那兒，上面寫著：

『這個房子是送給羅太太－小母親的禮物，她教她的孩子們要信賴耶穌聖心的愛。』

羅太太很困惑的轉向兒子，請他解釋清楚。

若望笑著說：「過去幾年，我的薪水增加了數次，但是我沒有告訴你，因為我在存錢，一直到我有能力為你準備一個房子，我們的本堂神父和蓋先生、蓋太太要來這兒一起慶祝。」   

晚宴結束了，吳神父對若望說：「我們要再看看耶穌聖心像。」

蓋太太接著說：「讓我們再上樓。」

   進入前廳，她們注意到另一張卡片掛在耶穌聖心的手上，若望拿來念著，但是他唸不下去，本堂神父接下去大聲的唸：

  「耶穌聖心願意通知羅若望被指定為蓋羅合夥公司的總經理。」

   羅太太把手放在若望的肩上，流著眼淚說：「這是你信賴耶穌聖心所得到的報酬。」

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29.Jesus Loves Those Who Are Honest

        John Ross came quickly down the street and paused before the church for a minute to consult his watch.  He decided that he would have time to stop and ask a blessing on the coming interview to which he was hastening.

        It was the feast of the Sacred Heart and the altar was beautiful with its many lights and flowers.  The Holy Hour had begun. It was time for the sermon and the preacher spoke on the complete trust we should place in the Heart of Jesus, for all our interests are safe in His care.  John waited for Benediction, then left the church without delay, for he realized that he was already late for the appointment with the president of the bank in which he hoped to obtain a position.

        On entering the outer office, he found a gentleman waiting and he wondered if he would be able to have his interview.  The door of the inner office opened, the president came forward and greeted the older man with respect.  Then, turning to John, he said.  “You are late for your appointment.  Have you any excuse to offer?”  John answered manfully,  “I entered the church expecting to be but a few minutes but, as the Holy Hour had begun,  I could not leave before the service was finished.”  The president answered,  “That settles it.  We do not wish to employ any Catholics here.  You may go.”  John quietly answered ,  “I was not aware that my religion had anything to do with my business capacity, save to render me more honest and trustworthy.”  As he turned to leave the office, the gentleman who had been waiting said, “I would like to have your address, for sometime I may need a young man in my service.”  John thanked the gentleman and gave him his card.

        John, however, was greatly disappointed and dreaded telling his mother, who was an invalid.  His little sister was watching for him, and one glance made her realize that all was not well.  When the story of the interview was repeated,  Mrs. Ross said gently,  “Surely the Heart of Jesus will not forsake us.  Our novena finished this morning.  We must trust Him, for whatever He does is best.”

        The following afternoon John sat fanning his mother as she lay on a couch in the living-room. The doorbell rang and Nellie ushered in the gentleman with whom John had spoken on the previous day. At once the visitor began,  “I am Mr. Gaynor and have come on business, but first of all, I wish Mrs. Ross to know that she has a son of whom she has reason to be proud.” Then turning to the boy, he said , “I noticed your self-control and your courageous defense of your religion and decided that a man who could be so faithful to God would also show the same fidelity in caring for my interests.  I need a secretary and will be glad to have you accept the position.  The bank president was not aware that, while in Europe, I became a Catholic.  My wife and daughters are still over there.  They, too, are Catholics.  I am a shareholder in that bank, but I shall transfer my business interests to another firm.”

        Three years have elapsed since John began his duties as Mr. Gaynor’s secretary and all has gone well with the little family.  His mother is much stronger, for she no longer has any cause for worry.

        When the feast of the Sacred Heart dawned.  John returned home in the middle of the morning and told his mother that he had a holiday and was to take her and Nellie for a ride.  They had driven a few miles outside the city when John turned into the driveway of a newly-built bungalow.  “Who lives here, John?”  “Some friends who wish us to visit their new home,”  replied the son.  The maid opened the door and soon John was leading his mother and sister through the house.  “Why,” exclaimed Nell,  “this is just the kind of a home we have been planning to build when we get rich.”  John laughed as he led the way upstairs.  Entering a room at the front of the house, they saw a statue of the Sacred Heart with a light burning before it.  To the outstretched hand, a card was attached.  On examining it, they read,  “This home is a gift to Mrs. Ross, the little mother who taught her children to place their trust in the Heart of love.”

        Bewildered, Mrs. Ross turned to her son and asked for an explanation.  John laughed and said,  “During the past years, my salary has been increased several times but I did not mention it to you for I was saving the money until I would have enough to prepare this home for you.  Our pastor, who has been in the secret together with Mr. and Mrs. Gaynor, will soon be here to help us celebrate.”

        When dinner was over that evening Father W. said to John, I would like to have another  look at that statue of the Sacred Heart.”  Mrs. Gaynor added, “Let us all go.” Upon entering the room, they noticed a second card suspended from the hands.  John read it, but remained speechless until the pastor read aloud,  “The Sacred Heart wishes to inform John Ross that he has been appointed head manager with a partnership in the firm of Gaynor & Ross.”  Mrs. Ross placed her hand on her son’s shoulder and said, through her tears,  “This is the reward you have received for trusting the Heart of Christ.”