Long before I post one single thing about Papal speculation, clergy sex abuse tragedies, the World Meeting of Families, the death of John McCain, the mass shooting today in Florida and the otherwise chaos of the world we live in I'm thankful, I'm humbled, I'm in awe of the awesomeness and fragility of life, which is pure gift from God.
First of all, did you get a chance to go to Mass today? If not Catholic then maybe you went to some service where the focus was, as it should be, the worship of God? Maybe you do not know what to do or where to go. Take your clue from Peter in today's Gospel spoken directly to Jesus: to whom should we go? You have the words of everlasting life. And for the most part we value life, but usually, when we say this, we are talking about this life, our day to day life, our quality of life. And that's ok to focus on such things, after all, it's only human. But we also know that this life is a blink of an eye, a moment of time, especially compared to eternal life; everlasting life. If life is so fragile, and we will work toward happiness of life, then what are we doing about our eternal life?
If we really wanted to name it and claim it we would all say that we were basically born to die. And while it is true that this life ends, were we not then born to live this life to be happy with God in the life to come? Indeed we were; we are!
I spent my Sunday morning visiting with an old friend, I'm talking about someone I have not seen since maybe 1995 or 2000 or whatever year it may have been. He's my age and he is dying, and he knows it and is at peace with death. This wild and crazy life of the party friend from another time and another place, is so peaceful in what will confront him sooner than later. I was struck by his comments and by the way you could tell he really is at peace; his peace was palpable in the room. My visit was profound, beautiful, heart-warming, heart-wrenching, full of laughter and memories and some tears too. I prayed with and for my friend, blessed him, laid hands on him, witnessed his reception of Holy Communion and heard him talk of going home to God. As I write this I have no idea if I will ever see him again this side of Heaven; sure hope so, but it's ok. Our visit today has impacted me in ways I did not expect, in ways I cannot clearly explain.
You know I just did not want to leave, but, I am a Deacon, my Baptism awaits followed by Benediction and last chance Mass. How can I let you know what it means to me to have such a profound morning, fragile and tender as it was, then I get to baptize a little baby, all of 5 months old, his mom & dad still celebrating the gift of his life. To know that the Sacrament conferred on this precious little boy gives him the gift of new life, frees him from original sin will hopefully lead him to a full, robust and sacramental life to one day, many, many years from now, reach heaven. This moment in time too was profound, fragile and tender.
We have no choice but to rejoice in life, all life, from the extremes as evidenced by my Sunday, the friend whose life is precious even though it nears it's end and the life of that baby who's life is precious even though it has just begun.
Oh dear most Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of this day, another opportunity to worship and praise you. What splendid examples of the gift of life you have placed before me. How wonderful to have been witness to it all.
Every day is pure gift!
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