SFPNN Special Edition –
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— Thanks to author, Joan Wester Anderson, for today's
Special Edition
Can angels take the
The
Story of
By Joan Wester
As we know, everyone who is in
heaven is a saint. But there are also "official" saints, those
recognized for all the good they did here on earth. One who couldn't have
succeeded without a particular heavenly helper was St. John Bosco,
whose feast day we observed on January 31st.
John was born in
The street kids that he dealt
with were rough, angry and not all that interested in reforming their lives.
Often they would rob John when he approached them. Gradually, he won over the
younger ones, and established group homes for them. But the assaults continued.
And because many of John's rescued boys were hard to handle, the citizenry was
not exactly thrilled with his mission. Often, they too attempted to drive him
out of the area. (Teenagers were considered a pain by many then too.)
One autumn evening in 1852, John
Bosco was making his way across the most broken part
of the slum district. He was alone and depressed. (Yes, even saints get
depressed.) "Lord," he prayed, "I know you want me to care for
the least of your children, but I can't go on being mugged and robbed, and
still do the work you've assigned me. How about a little
help?"
Suddenly John noticed a dog
behind him. Or was it a wolf? The creature was huge and grey...but friendly.
Timidly John called it, and the dog trotted up and took his place alongside
John, as if he had been trained to do so. "I'll call you Grigio," John told the dog (Grigio"
means "grey" in Italian). The two strolled along in silent
companionship until John reached his house, and the dog left, as if his job was
done. But it wasn't. A few days later, John had to travel through a dangerous
area, where he had once been beaten by street thugs. He was apprehensive
but…there was Grigio! Again, the canine bodyguard
stayed next to John, until he reached his home. How had he known?
Thus began a tender pattern-John
walking alone, the dog suddenly appearing and escorting him to safety. On one
occasion someone behind a tree fired two shots at John. They missed, and the
shooter aimed again. But Grigio raced at him, teeth bared, and the man fled. Another time, as John was walking
down a dark and unfamiliar street, two men threw a sack over his head,
obviously intending to kill him. Suddenly John heard barking. Yes, although he
hadn't seen his faithful companion, here came Grigio again,growling and driving the men
away. A few days later, Grigio saved John's life in
an ambush. A dozen men had surrounded him with their sticks raised to strike
when Grigio arrived upon the scene. Of course
everyone fled.
The animal became popular, for
he sometimes came into John's house, and allowed the smaller boys to play with
him. But his appearances always had a purpose. Sometimes it was to meet John at
the door before some journey; sometimes to escort John safely home, even when
John was unaware of danger. At least once, Grigio
even prevented John from going out. He lay down on the threshold and barred the
exit. "Grigio, move
aside!" John commanded, but the dog resisted, and John eventually
gave up and took off his coat. About an hour later, John's neighbor rushed in
to warn John that another trap had been set for him. Grigio
had saved him again.
By now, John realized that
something heavenly was going on. And as if to confirm it, the dog appeared as
John was on his way to visit a farmer. When they arrived, John brought the dog
inside. Grigio lay down quietly in a corner while the
family ate. But when they had assembled leftovers for Grigio's
dinner, they could not find him! No doors or windows had been open, yet he had
vanished.
For over thirty years, as John Bosco traveled
God sends angels in many forms. Even dogs? You decide.
(C) 2002 Joan Wester
For more stories of God’s love,
check the Where Angels Walk website at www.joanwanderson.com
. Look at the Archives page too!
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This and
every issue of SFPNN is dedicated to MISTY, a tiny angel who taught us to love
unconditionally and bask in the glory and joy of each moment.
For more information about Misty, please visit Misty’s
Miracle at: http://www.sfpnn.com/SoulMagic/Soul2001/sm040601.htm and our Reflections of a Zen Master / Fuzzy
Tales page at: http://www.sfpnn.com/misty.htm
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