On February 2, I happened to be leaving the Gozo Hospital by way of the long corridor when I realised that coming towards me was a hospital chaplain openly carrying the Blessed Sacrament. My mind was still thinking of hospital business, so I had no time to do anything other than stop and make the sign of the cross.

But I was delighted and surprised with the encounter. Delighted because it was so unexpected. Unexpected? I am from England and it would be very unlikely to meet Jesus in such an obvious way in an English NHS hospital. One takes a risk there of even mentioning His name.

In the readings for the Mass the day after my encounter and in Fr Charles Carabott’s accompanying sermon (fourth Sunday in Ordinary time, Newsletter No. 178), we are urged to seek Jesus in the most unlikely of people and places.

It struck me to question: do we realise how lucky we are here in Gozo and Malta to have the possibility of regular encounters with Jesus in the way and the place I met him last Saturday? Long may this precious freedom last.

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