“They shouted back, ‘No, not him! Give us Barabbas!’” John 18:40
A young man, who was about to graduate from college, had his heart set on a beautiful sports car that he had been admiring for many months in a dealer’s showroom. He knew that his father could afford it, so he told him that it was all he wanted. As Graduation Day approached, the young man eagerly awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study and expressed how proud he was of his fine son, telling him how much he loved him. He handed the young man a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible. In anger, he raised his voice at his father, saying, “With all your money, you give me a Bible?” and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy book behind.
Many years passed, and the young man became very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and a wonderful family, but he realized that his father was very old and thought that perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make a plan, he received a telegram telling him that his father had passed away and willed all his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things. Suddenly, a wave of sadness and regret filled his heart when he arrived at his father’s house. He began to search his father’s important papers and came across the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago.
With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped behind the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer with the sports car he desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation and the words...PAID IN FULL.
How often do we miss God’s blessings because they are not packaged as expected?
Jesus said to Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).
Submitted by Rev. Justin Diraviyam, CSC
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help us to accept Your plan for us, even when unexpected. Amen.