When we look at the world’s problems it is easy to feel over
whelmed. How can one person stop world hunger, human trafficking, or any other
injustice? The answer is you can’t. No one person has the power to change the
world. However, each of us has the power to change one person’s life and that
may cause the world to change. I was reminded of that lesson when I saw Les
Miserables.
The story focuses on Jean Valjean who was imprisoned for
stealing bread to feed his sister’s child. Once jailed he makes a failed
attempt to escape and then spends the next nineteen years in prison. After he
is paroled he is found by a Bishop and offered food and shelter for the night.
Valjean steals his silver and is quickly caught. When the Bishop is asked about
the silver he reports the silver was a gift and gives Valjean the best of his
silver. This act of grace and generosity changes Valjean’s life and he takes
the silver and changes his life.
The Bishop gave Valjean something more important than
silver. He gave him forgiveness, love, and dignity. The bishop changed his life
because he took the time to care and treat him with respect. He gave him a
second chance. The Bishop didn’t change the whole world. Injustices still raged
around him. However, he did change one life. Imagine the difference each of us
could make if we begin to love everyone we encounter and treat them with
respect and dignity. The bishop saw past Valjean’s present circumstances and
saw his true value as a man.
The story moves forward eight years and finds Valjean as a
factory owner and mayor. His foreman fires Fantine who is working to support
her illegitimate daughter. Cosette, the daughter lives with an innkeeper and
his wife. Fantine becomes a prostitute in order to support Cosette. Valjean
saves Fantine from an attacker and takes her to the hospital where she dies. In
the process she tells him about Cosette and he vows to raise the child.
Fantine did everything in her power to support her daughter.
She loved Cosette with a selfless love. That loved changed Cosette’s life.
Sometimes changing a person’s life may require we sacrifice. It may require we
sacrifice some of our time, money, or energy. We serve a Christ who gave all he
had because he loved each of us and we are called to follow his example. If you
want to change someone’s life you must start by loving them the way Christ
does.
Valjean is true to his word and raises Cosette as his own.
The story jumps forward nine more years to show Valjean and Cosette as a happy
family. He has become her father. He changed her life. France is now in the
middle of a revolution led by Marius Pontmercy who has fallen in love with
Cosette. She has fallen in love with him too. Valjean learns of this love and
goes to the rebel front. During a fight between the rebels and the army Marius
is injured. Valjean saves Marius by dragging him through the sewers to safety.
He is saved and he can marry Cosette.
Sometimes changing someone’s life requires we get dirty. It
requires that we experience the best and the worst of life with them. It may
require we hold their hand while they are in the hospital or hug them when they
are dirty or simply listen as they talk about their inner demons. If we are to
truly love people enough to help them change their lives we must meet them
where they are, even if it is a sewer.
As we live our faith in Jesus Christ may we be mindful of
the people around us who are looking for a little help. Every day we are
surrounded by people who are just waiting for someone to take notice, love
them, and help them grow into different lives. May we be open to sharing grace
and love with them.
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