Last weekend, a technician from my telephone operator came to my home to install a better internet connection, given the current situation.

Normally, I do not like it when technicians come over, and I am always aware of what they do, whether or not they do it well, and with the fear that, if I get distracted, they might steal something.

However, the task turned out to be more complicated than expected, and he had to keep going up and downstairs. I decided, however, to sit down and prepare for the Fraternity meeting I had that evening.

While reading the points we are working on, I found myself full of joy: everything was for me, and it corresponded to me totally. The technician kept going in and out of the room. At a certain point, I looked at him and felt compassion. He was sweaty and tired. I got up and went to get him a glass of water. He thanked me and downed it in one gulp. We started talking, about his six children, these difficult times, his children’s education…

I realized that my initial prejudice and distrust had disappeared and I felt a real fondness for him.

Later, after he left, I returned to the text, happy and amazed at what had happened. Initially, I had a "reduced" position in front of that man, but when I read the Exercises – which are the very concrete way in which the Lord prefers me, comes to meet me, both in its proposal and in its content - suddenly something new happened, a new gaze towards the reality in front of me, up to a small gesture of charity. Something much more corresponding to me and to that man.

Read also – “What prevails each morning”

Thinking back on what happened, I have resumed the work that was proposed to us for Holy Week and for School of Community, which talks about “election” and “men called”. When I let my heart be filled with Jesus’ preference for me, my preference for that man also emerged in the moment. That is mission, something I have to do to be good, but because somehow it was impossible not to share what had happened to me with that man, through that small gesture of attention and the desire to enter into a relationship and unity with him.

Francisco, Lisbon, Portugal#Coronavirus