God’s Greatest Evangelizers
Experiencing Christ’s Unconditional Love on Mission
Sharyl Stommes, Gift of Mary Missionary
My heart was so eager to go to Jamaica and love on and serve these beautiful souls. To share the generous love of God and make it known to them that they are beloved. However, the residents at Mustard Seed Community ended up being the givers of God’s grace and I the receiver - they were the evangelizers!
When we showed up to Jacob’s Ladder we were all greeted by the residents with massive hugs, handshakes, smiles and laughs that put any other celebration to shame. The joy was exuberant. I was received with so much excitement you would have thought I was the greatest thing since sliced bread. And it was the same for everyone else in the room, no one was excluded. What came to the forefront of my mind were my faults and a lot of mistakes that I felt guilty of. But to them love has no conditions. Their reception of me was an experience of God’s unconditional love - my faults and mistakes were nonexistent to them, only pure joy that I was there.
At Sophie’s Place, the residents were the closest imitation of Christ in the Eucharist I have ever witnessed: they rest there, vulnerable and dependent on others, with an obvious need of just being looked upon with love and longing. In their silence, stillness, and dependence they showed me the face of Jesus. Our Lord in the Eucharist also just rests in the tabernacle, dependent on others to lift him to his monstrance where there is a need of being looked upon with love and longing. When I went up to Brandon, or TonyAnn, or Michaela and said their names, acknowledging them and that I was there with them, there came a big smile and obvious joy. They showed me the glory of God in suffering - the joy that is available because of the loving presence of one who loves you. They are not alone, He is there! I am not alone, He is here!
These beautiful souls at Mustard Seed Community have allowed me to receive the presence of Christ in a manner and depth that is unmatched. Thank you Lord!!
February 19, 2026