STORIES

Seeing in a New Light

by Mara Ruane, Brookings, South Dakota
(1st Place: "Bishop Patrick J. Byrne Award," Maryknoll Essay Contest)

Topic: Imagine entering a virtual reality arcade transporting you back to the year 30 and allowing you to become part of an audience listening to Jesus deliver his Sermon on the Mount.
In a letter to a friend, describe how Jesus' advice in the Beatitudes could solve a specific world problem, such as school shootings, ethnic cleansing, drugs, hunger, etc.

  Dear Pete,
Guess what happened to me on Saturday? After you told me your score for the new arcade game, "Virtual Reality," I decided to go and try to beat it.

I walked to the mall and passed the old bum on the corner. You remember, the one holding the sign, "Will work for food." I thought; "Why doesn't he just go to the poor side of town?" Every time I pass him, I walk faster and hold my breath so I don't have to smell him.

I went into the arcade to play "Virtual Reality." Instead of the combat game I expected, I saw a crowd of people through the vision glasses. I felt like I was sitting in an audience. It looked like a concert. But in front of the crowd stood a man giving some kind of speech.

The man stood poised, with simple clothing, and he intrigued everyone, even me. It was the way the man spoke. He proclaimed things with a joy and hope. It seemed like he was speaking right to me. I didn't know what to think. At any rate, he finished talking, and people gradually left.

I took off the vision glasses and realized I was still in the arcade. I sat there stunned. I tried to figure out why this happened or why that audience listened to such a plain man. I could only remember, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy," from his speech. It kept echoing in my ears.

What does mercy mean? What was that man talking about? Doesn't someone have to ask for mercy to receive it?

I was deep in thought on the way home. I was concentrating so hard I didn't see a car turning into the parking lot. I looked up in time to realize I was going to be hit. The next thing I knew, I was on the ground, hurting. Standing above me, staring into my confused face was that old bum. At first I thought about my pain. My wrist and back hurt. He knelt and asked, "Can you hear me? Are you okay?"

After that, I don't know what happened, but the nurse at the hospital told me some man who said his name was Gus called for the ambulance. I lay on the x-ray table and thought about the bum. That day I saw him in a new light. He came to help me when I was hurt and in need. Did he know who I was? I wonder if he recognized me. Every Saturday, I saw him pleading for help in the corner, yet I never stopped. Nevertheless, when I needed help, I didn't even have to ask, he was there.

Later, instead of spending my money in the arcade, I went and bought two hotdogs. One was for me and the other was for my merciful new friend, Gus. I asked him if he had ever played "Virtual Reality." I told him "I've played more video games than there are dirty clothes on my bedroom floor, but I've never played a game like the one on Saturday."

I now think I understand the meaning of, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." I can't believe I learned it from a video game and Gus "the bum."

Well, I've got to go. I'm still going to try to break your "Virtual Reality" record at the arcade.

See ya later, Max

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St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

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