Octavio was a man who throughout his life had always lived in comfort. Coming from a wealthy family, he inherited a factory, many properties, and plenty cash and valuable jewellery.
 

With so many resources, Octavio grew up without money problems and did not learn to appreciate what he had. His family was always at parties and traveling. His children did not enjoy the blessings of school, because they wanted to enjoy life and had no time to pick up books. Time passed until one day Octavio woke up feeling unwell. And he stayed in bed, resting.

However, it got worse and he called for the family physician.

After examining him, the doctor told him:

- Octavio, because of the life you have lead your body is in need of care. I'll give you some medication that must be taken daily at the right time. Your case is serious and if you do not stop eating so much it will get worse.

Octavio thanked him but continued living his life the same as always. He did not even take the medication, claiming that he did not have the time.

One of his kids was different from the others. Thaddeus, the youngest, now a young man, was the only one who cared about his father, mother and siblings. He said:

- Dad, our family cannot spend all the time at parties and traveling! Mom and my brothers are never home! And you are here because you have a health problem, otherwise you would also be leading a life of pleasures only.

- Nonsense, my son! We have enough money to have fun!

To which the young man said:

- But, Dad, the money may end! The other day, I talked to an employee of the factory and he told me that things at the factory are very difficult. Your manager is spending too much money unnecessarily! Let me take care of the factory, I want to work!

Upset, the old man replied:

- No way! My children do not need work! What will people say of me?

Thaddeus hung his head in dismay. There was no talking to his father. Who knows, maybe he should warn his mother? Or his siblings? ...

And Thaddeus went to his mother but in vain. When he finding her and asking to talk to her, she would give him an excuse: she had to straighten her hair, buy clothes or go to a party.

He sought his brothers, also without success. Hence, Thaddeus decided to live his life without worrying about the others.

One day, upon entering his father's room, he saw that he was still in bed. He called him but he did not answer. Thaddeus sent for the doctor, who examined him and gave the diagnosis:
 

	- For having abused food, drinks and excesses of all kinds too much, your father had a heart attack and will have to stay in bed. Here is the prescription. Hence, Thaddeus stayed at his father's side, helping him to recover and giving him the medication. Learning that their boss was sick, the employees  seized  the  opportunity  to  take
from the factory all they could until it had to be shut down. The mother and sons seeing that their father was not in charge anymore, just used up all the money, sold their jewels and all that had any value to continue pursuing their life of enjoyment.

Always in bed, one day the father asked his son, lamenting to see that there was nothing left of the wealth of before:

- Why did God allow this to happen, my son? We are poor!

The boy, looking at his father with tenderness, replied:

- Dad! I have learned from Jesus that we always get what we deserve. God always gives us the best for us to live. However, He also shows us what we need to do: to love our neighbor as ourselves.

The father, who silently listened to his youngest son's ponders, considered:

- Our family had everything in abundance, wealth that could have been shared with those who have nothing, but we decided to utilize all the resources for our own good, leaving our brothers and sisters to starve. Now we have the consequences: disease, lack of money, the helpless of old age.

The father, in tears, lamented the wasted time. But his son said:

- However, Dad, we can still do many things: help people through the word, leading them to the teachings of Jesus!

So, Thaddeus, not being able to leave the house because his father depended on him, decided to use the beautiful old house to receive the poor and needy from the streets, while helping his father.

At a certain time of the afternoon, Thaddeus would gather the poor in the great room, and opening the Gospel of Jesus, would read an excerpt and then comment on it. He would then say a prayer and, finally, serve tea and bread for all.

Over time, the crowd increased but also the friends of good will, who would come help him take care of those in need.

Thus, the father, now old, would benefit from Thaddeus' comments and have the Gospel entered into his heart which helped him become someone else: a better and happier person.

Until the day when God called him to the spirit world, but now he was renovated and full of faith, with a grateful heart because of the blessings he received from his son's work.
 

MEIMEI

 

(Psychographed by Celia X. de Camargo on 14/4/14.)