Exult of Easter Vigil

Richard Fleming (a pseudonym) a retired businessman, was doing paperwork at home one Monday afternoon when the phone rang.

“Mr. Fleming?” a cool, crisp voice said. “This is Lauren from Dr. Brown’s office. I just wanted to confirm your appointment with the doctor tomorrow morning at nine o’clock.” Startled by the message, Mr. Flemming asked the nurse: “Are you sure about the appointment?”

More abruptly this time, the nurse asked: “You are Richard Fleming, are you not?” When Richard confirmed his identity, she continued: “Well, Mr. Fleming, I have you down here for a nine o’clock appointment tomorrow.”

Richard turned to his wife: “Lauren,” he confessed, “I don’t remember making this appointment.” The nurse, snapping all traces of civility, cried out: “Dr. Brown is one the busiest and most important cardiologists in New York. Appointments with him have to be booked months in advance.”

Richard mouthed to his wife, close by: “What should I do?” Without hesitation, she said: “Go.” Then, to the nurse, he said: “I’m coming; I’ll be there tomorrow morning.”

The next morning, he underwent a grueling series of tests in Dr. Brown’s office. After Dr. Brown evaluated the results, he returned to Mr. Fleming’s room, a grim expression on his face. “Not a moment too soon!” he exclaimed. “You’re a lucky man, Mr. Fleming. You have a serious cardiac problem, and you’ll have to go in for surgery immediately. It’s fortunate that you had an appointment today,” the doctor added.

Meanwhile, at the secretary’s desk in the reception room, an irate man was causing a minor commotion. “What do you mean! Richard Fleming is already in the doctor’s office? I am Richard Fleming.” Shoving the appointment card under her nose, he shouted: “See for yourself. It’s today’s date, and it says nine o’clock.”

The young nurse asked, bewildered, “then who is the man sitting in the doctor’s office right now? Wait a second.” said the secretary slowly, “let me check my records.” And there she found two separate files for two different Richard Flemings – one who lived in Manhattan and was currently fuming in the reception room, another who lived in Brooklyn and was currently given a serious diagnosis together with the prescription for a cure.

The wrong Richard Fleming had been called by the secretary. Only it was really the right Richard Fleming – the one who needed this mistake to happen in order for his life to be saved!

An event can be seen as a mistake or a miracle depending on the prism through which you view your life. What appear to be mistakes in your life often happen, so God can use them for a greater good. God used the fall of Adam to show His boundless love for us. In today’s story, a mistake saved the life of Richard Fleming. It was a happy fault.

Fr. Hugh Duffy