September 28, 2009: Stewards of Compassion
Beloved: Every day is an opportunity to be compassionate stewards of love, joy and peace. I experienced this encounter of love over 10 years ago and yet it is still bearing fruit within me. Let us be true stewards of our visits to the sick and lonely.
21 May 1998
A visit to the hospital making the rounds touching the wounds deeper than a surgeon’s knife. So often the wounds and scars are so critical that we miss the opportunity to heal.
Jose and Felicidad on the fourth floor I almost missed them as I passed by his room. Actually their room. Her bed was set up by the window. I was late getting around to my visit to the hospital rooms. They were strangers who didn’t always get to church. it was too much for them the burden of years. They gave me every excuse to not initiate the Sacraments…but something bigger than me prodded me on.
He relied on oxygen and his hands seemed so weak beside his body. Felicidad stood beside the bed of her man. I eventually placed her hands on his hands It was as if they belonged there, yet had somehow lost their way When it came time for the Bread of Life She lifted the oxygen mask with one swift swoop of her hand. She wanted this spiritual food for her beloved
Then they were anointed my hands laid on them both and then I played my flute and sang and invited them to pray together, cry together, love aloud. Their culture was Filipino and yet the Spirit of God danced in that room. Human love at it’s best!
I held this old and beautiful woman as she wept and kissed her all under the passionate eyes of her husband of 62 years.
Another song A simple kiss An explanation about the tears being the oil of the body and I left and I wept as I walked into the hall a little sting a pause before entering the next room the next encounter awesome. O to love! O to life! O to be! Amen!
Could this be how we can be stewards of Compassion?
May you bear abundant fruit for many to pick and share and rejoice.
Have a wonderful week.
Love, joy, peace,
Father Ron
