Yes, mejtom. John Michael's music was very important to me in the late 70s, early 80s. At one time, my wife and I even considered checking out the Little Portion community in Arkansas. He also had a couple of concerts in Syracuse, NY, back in the 90s. Meditative and soothing! Safe in the Father's Arms!
I need to turn to such mellow music and in so doing ask for your prayers! I had finished my shift at the hospital Wednesday eve and was just heading out the door to go home when a call came in from an 8G nurse requesting a chaplain for an end-of-life visit. I was the only one left, so... Actually, it was a rather peaceful scene. These days with covid-19 somewhat diminished in Syracuse, family visits of one person at a time are allowed. So here was a daughter about my age asking prayers for her Presbyterian Dad, aged 91. He was breathing with great difficulty, lucid for the most part. For her part, she was by his side lovingly stroking his face in between his coughing spells. Though I had not mentioned my faith background, the gentlemen kept referring to me as "Father." Of course, 50 years ago, a majority of chaplains were priests (When was the last time he was in the hospital?). He possessed a deep faith: spoke of his wife at home, they have been married for 71 years. He shared of his deep love for Jesus, how He was so faithful and true. He wanted me to read Scriptures to him and so I did, John 14, Revelation 20, and the beloved Psalm 23. After regaining his breath, he wished to hear a hymn, so he willingly listened to my singing. I probed and he told me he held no grudges, had forgiven everyone that needed forgiving, and added that he had been praying for the staff on the floor. He brought up sola fide; I brushed it aside for it was not the time for theology. He mentioned two miscarried children whom he longed to see. I told him the time to stand before the Lord was soon, he responded, "I have never been as perfect as I hoped; we must lean on his Mercy." At that point, I was paged for another emergency and off I went. Ok, Mario, what's the point of this post? There are any number of times my visits with Protestants are more faith-filled then those with Catholics. Earlier in the day I visited a Catholic: he is undergoing rehabilitation, is a principal in a public school, has a young family, and loves to speak of faith from mostly a theological perspective. This man is having a crisis of faith, has been attending a Protestant church of late because he is drawn to their social justice motif. Very different from his overbearing Mom who forced the Rosary on him! At least three times he repeated a line we here are familiar with, "Who am I to judge?" But direct, vigorous challenges in a hospital setting aren't necessarily the best. For the most part I held back my ready retorts. In the end, he felt I genuinely listened and so asked me to return on Friday to get my feedback and share my perspective. Please pray that I may have an impact. One can win a sword fight without ever penetrating the heart. It it is his heart and not his mind which must be penetrated by the truth of Christ and His Church. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
I will pray Mario. You were wise to just listen to the man for now, and you have already had an impact on him because he asked you to return.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, enkindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit Lord and You shall renew the face of the earth. Father, You taught the hearts of the faithful by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Send now Your Spirit Lord to Mario, and grant that he may be always truly wise, And ever rejoice in Your consolation with this soul in his acute need. Amen.
Seeing this just now,will pray the rosary for him and you, for as our Blessed Mother said: "Wonder not that you have obtained so little fruit by your labors, you have spent them on barren soil, not yet watered with the dew of Divine grace. When God willed to renew the face of the earth, He began by sending down on it the fertilizing rain of the Angelic Salutation. Therefore preach my Psalter composed of 150 Angelic Salutations and 15 Our Fathers, and you will obtain an abundant harvest."
Our sister therese has the sword just for the job Beautiful story and reflection brother Terry you are truly blessed.. Forever in our prayers
Prayers for you Mario and for this gentleman. It reminds me of my sister who was a practising Catholic up until about a year ago. Her husband passed away about 5 years ago and she is very lonely. So she started attending a Protestant church and bible study group. They have welcomed her with open arms and now she has many new friends. Unfortunately, for some reason, our Catholic church doesn't have that same welcoming feel. I experienced this myself when I moved into my current community. I was struck by how unwelcoming my new church was. I don't feel that anymore, as I have been here for a number of years, but I must say, that I sure didn't feel that welcoming spirit that my sister now enjoys at her new Protestant church. Something really needs to be done to make our Catholic church more welcoming, rather than, clique-y.
