Philippians 2:19-30

My brother sent me this wonderful story:

I sat with my friend in a well-known coffee shop in a neighboring town of Venice (Italy), the city of lights and water.

As we enjoyed our coffee, a man entered and sat at an empty table beside us.

He called the waiter and placed his order saying, ‘Two cups of coffee, one of them there on the wall.’

We heard this order with rather interest and observed that he was served with one cup of coffee but he paid for two.

As soon as he left, the waiter pasted a piece of paper on the wall saying ‘A Cup of Coffee’.

While we were still there, two other men entered and ordered three cups of coffee, two on the table and one on the wall.

They had the two cups of coffee but paid for three and left.

This time also, the waiter did the same; he pasted a piece of paper on the wall saying, ‘A Cup of Coffee’.

It was something unique and perplexing for us.

We finished our coffee, paid the bill and left.

After a few days, we had a chance to go to this coffee shop again.

While we were enjoying our coffee, a man poorly dressed entered.

As he seated himself, he looked at the wall and said, ‘One cup of coffee from the wall’.

The waiter served coffee to this man with the customary respect and dignity.

The man had his coffee and left without paying.

We were amazed to watch all this, as the waiter took off a piece of paper from the wall and threw it in the dust bin.

Now it was no surprise for us – the matter was very clear.

The great respect for the needy shown by the inhabitants of this town made our eyes well up in tears.

Ponder upon the need of what this man wanted…

He enters the coffee shop without having to lower his self-esteem … he has no need to ask for a free cup of coffee … without asking or knowing about the one who is giving this cup of coffee to him.

He only looked at the wall, placed an order for himself, enjoyed his coffee and left.

… Probably the most beautiful wall you may ever see anywhere….!!!

The owner of this restaurant understands something about caring. He understands hardship and people who have lost their self-esteem and whose whole being is down-trodden. He wants to help. He wants to make a difference.

You see, he’s the real thing. He is successfully living his calling to make a difference and he is using coffee to do it. He is an example to all of us. Like Timothy was. Even for Paul, which is why he praised him: 22But you know yourselves that Timothy’s the real thing. He’s been a devoted son to me as together we’ve delivered the Message.

The question then is of we’re the real thing every day. Are we making a difference in other people’s lives?

Reflection

Are you not letting anybody down?

Are you making a difference?

Even if it’s just with a cup of coffee?

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, You are good, You share grace and coffee all the time. You often use people just like me. Please open my eyes so that I can help. Please free my hands. Please let my feet go in the right direction. Amen