Author Archives: Jakob Ohm

Scripture: 2 Cor 1,24

„Not that we have authority over your faith, but we are servants of your joy“

Impulse: At the  railway station of my hometown I had the following experience: I was waiting for the train when an elderly homeless man sat down next to me on the bench. A bit shy, he asked me for some money, but I could give him nothing but a few coins. When I saw his face, I suddenly remembered that I could give him something much more valuable: I wanted to give him the eight minutes I had until my train arrived. We started talking, he told me where he came from and what his everyday life looks like. When my train arrived and we said good bye, I realized that something like a smile had risen on his and my face – the testimony of a piece of relationship! On the train I thought: too bad that this was just a chance encounter. How much joy could I give, if I make the habit of giving a little of my time regularly to people who have no one else to listen to? With very little effort we can become messengers of hope and be “servants of joy”. I think: a great life motto – and not only in the time of Easter!

Jakob Ohm

Scripture: (Mt 25,40)

“Jesus says: „What you have done to one of my lesser brothers you have done to me.“

Impuls: “Respect” – we use this word in many different contexts: Respect for people with special abilities, for parents, for big tasks … But what about the people who are more on the edge, whose lives are rather hidden? Often they are not in our field of vision at all. I am thinking of older people, of people who prefer to stay home because of money worries or who are just lonely. But there are also situations where the temptation to look away and do nothing is big. For example when a classmate is bullied, be it in the scholl yard or – often even more hurtful, because anonymous – on the Internet. The first step in respecting someone is then often to consciously perceive him, to see his situation and to take his needs seriously. Thereby we overcome the danger of indifference and give the signal: “You are important to me – no matter what others say!”. This feeling revives and gives new hope. And: we can count on ourselves to be very close to Jesus!

Jakob Ohm