MY LITTLE FRIEND

The young lad in the photo with me is my friend. And just so you know, I have many friends his age and size. I think because of my own size, they think we are equals or age mates, so they feel comfortable.

That was just an aside. I’m posting him because this fellow is an embodiment of unwavering perseverance and a goal-getter. If he needs your attention, no matter what happens or how many other people you have to talk to, he will persist till you give him the attention he needs.

When he comes to church, he waits for me at the Sacristy (where the priest and other ministers go to dress) to greet me before Mass. After Mass, he goes to the Sacristy and waits for me to take off my Chasuble (gown priests wear at Mass) and slips his hand under my arm, holding it tight and refusing to let go.

No matter how many persons chastise him telling him to leave me small, he doesn’t care. When I have to speak with someone in private, he stands a bit far from us, watching my every move to make sure I don’t slip from his eyes.

If I station him somewhere to wait for me, he stays there patiently. If after a while he does not see me or sense that I have forgotten, he comes knocking on my door looking for me.

It will interest you to know that he always has something to tell me. It’s either about his school or community, and I must show interest and lecture with him before he leaves.

I know that many of us adults do not have such patience and diligence in pursuing our goals like this young man. Like this young man and the lady in Matthew 15:25-28 who Jesus told that “You can’t take the food of the children and give it to the dogs,” it is my prayer that we will diligently keep pursuing whatever endeavors we have set our hands to and may they yield success.