In Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, there is a character named Jean Valjean who spent nineteen years in jail for stealing a loaf of bread for his sister’s starving child. When he was released on parole, he was unable to find food or work. When a kindly bishop took him in and gave him a meal and place to stay, Valjean “paid” him by stealing some of the bishop’s silver. Valjean was caught by the police and brought back to the bishop who, instead of accusing him, offered him the silver candlesticks as well. In the musical, the bishop said this:“And remember this, my brother
See in this some higher plan
You must use this precious silver
To become an honest man.”
Later, Valjean questioned himself:
“Yet why did I allow that man
To touch my soul and teach me love?
…He gave his trust.
He called me brother.
He told me that I have a soul.
…Jean Valjean is nothing now.
Another story must begin.”
From this point forward, Valjean strove to live a life devoted to serving other people in need—to give back the blessings that had been given to him.
Relationships—one soul touching another—can make the greatest impact in this world. The challenge is that relationships are hard. Coming into the kingdom, the church, we are all brothers and sisters, and sometimes expect things to be easy. In Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the relationship challenges we face.
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