The Most Beautiful Thing in the World

The other day I was reading a "reading assignment" with John Paul for school. He had to read and answer the questions at the end of the story. I was trying to get it "done" of course, when I realized how beautiful this story was! So excuse the longevity, but I have to share.

The story was about a gathering of angels in heaven. They were tasking the youngest angel with a great assignment. He was to go to earth, and find the most beautiful thing in the world and bring it back to heaven, and present it to Jesus as a gift.

So on his first trip down, he surveyed the earth. Beautiful gardens, etc. Until he happened upon a beautiful red rose. He thought this had to be it, the most beautiful thing. He plucked it and carried it to heaven. The other angels agreed, this was indeed a beautiful creation of God, but not the most beautiful.

So back he went. This time he looked more carefully. And upon spying, a bright blue-eyed, chubby cheeked baby with a bright smile, he scooped him up and flew back to heaven. Again the angels rejoiced, and loved the little soul created by and for God, but nope, this still was not the most beautiful thing.

Feeling a bit discouraged, he flew back to earth, and resolved not to give up. He decided to pay a visit to the chapel to ask God for help in discovering this "beautiful thing". As he entered the church, he knelt down in the back pew next to an elderly gentleman who was there praying and preparing himself for Confession. As he looked at the old man's face, he noticed huge tears streaming down his face in sorrow for his sins. The little angel reached his hand over and caught one of the tears as they fell. He held on to it tightly and sped back to heaven. As he placed the tear in the midst of the other angels, they all sang hymns of praise and rejoiced, because the littlest angel had found the most beautiful thing in the world...A person sorry for their sins. Nothing brings God more joy and happiness, than turning our hearts to him and asking forgiveness for how we have offended Him who is All Love.

This story had me in tears. God is so good and merciful, and is just waiting for us to turn our hearts back to Him. I thought this was a really good reminder as we approach the season of Lent. A season of penance, yes,... but a season to remember how much we are loved!