St. John of God, founder of the order of Brothers of Mercy, erected a large hospital at Granada. A pious nobleman, residing in the town, one day sent him seven ducats for the relief of the sick and needy. On the evening of the same day the nobleman went to the saint disguised as a poor man and pleaded extreme poverty with tears in his eyes. St. John of God, touched with compassion, spoke kindly top him and gave him the seven ducats he had received that morning. The next morning the nobleman went again to the saint, not in disguise, told him the whole story and returned the money, multiplied ten times. From that time on, each week he sent him a supply of meat and bread for the sick. God deals with us the same way. He first sends us money and this world’s goods, and then He presents Himself in the person of our fellow needy creatures and asks for alms. Happy is he who has pity on the poor and destitute for he will receive a hundred fold from God, and even in this life the Most High will be his greatest benefactor.
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