I think I had another a tiny mini-stroke again. Please pray.

Dear friends, this is an update on my present circumstances. Let me use this letter to convey my message to you my praying friend.

“Depart from me!” “Go away from me you stacker!”

These are the strongest words of rejection any human ears can hear from God or from a fellow human being.

With trembling hands and in the fear of the Lord I will try to write what I found this morning in my meditations on the Parable of the sheep and the goats.

I am vulnerable and in the last two weeks I have been under attack. I believe to have had a “tiny mini-stroke” again.

Early in the morning today I manage to beg of the Lord in prayer to speak to me as he so generously does to his servants in need.
My first clear impression from reading this passage is that our Lord instead of addressing the issue of my need for help he speaks to my needs as his own needs with me as “one” with him.

God the king speaks of me as one of his “brothers”.
“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Wow, wow and triple wow.

It there is a cure for any emotional sickness it is in our oneness with Jesus. I felt catapulted heavenward all the way pass cloud nine.

At the same time a sobering thought brought me down just as fast by the following words from the mouth of the King of kings that said, “Then he will say to those on his left. “Depart from me, you who are cursed into eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger and you did not invite me in. I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, “I WAS SICK AND IN PRISON AND YOU DID NOT LOOK AFTER ME.” Matthew 25:41-43.

In my mind I found a list of those who should “look after me” and I felt bad and was afraid my tears might reach them like a curse for not “looking after me”.

Then I prayed in my sober mind even now at the crack of dawn the strong prayer of Jesus that conquered my heart: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

I rebuked myself saying, “I should not be sick, causing people to stumble.” Then I realize that even my sickness is also from the hand of God to accomplish greater works of grace in me, through me in others, and in spite of me.

As I was told recently, “Put your life jacket first before you put on others their life jacket.” Let us look after each other so when we are separated from one another as sheep are separated from goats, we might be counted among those sheep that have look after one another. By so doing we will be taking care of Jesus to whom we belong and are one with him.

There is an inheritance prepared before hand for those who are born and reborn to serve. As sick as I am, please let me know if I can look after you.
At this time of my life it is only by pen the way I know how I can “look after you.”

Your caregiver on duty by God’s grace.

Gerry Gutierrez.

PS. With my grandson "Gerardito"