Last night my wife and I were invited to a wedding. When Julie’s family gets together, it’s always a blast. Not only are you surrounded by beautiful people, with interesting stories and lives; but there are also hundreds of them. Those of you who know me, know I’m not a fan of crowds. The family though, a family is always something to celebrate. Especially when you are able to witness the start of one, a family that does things that speak to the world of their faith. A Catholic wedding is one where the end goal is to be an image of God Himself, not just two people, but the life-generating love between them. In today’s modern terms that is often not the case, with many couples not even bothering to marry, but also not being open to having children. Refreshing to see a great Irish wedding in a beautiful Church where the couple vows to do just that.
As we were sitting around the table at the reception, enjoying some drinks and conversation, it struck me just how grand it is to be a part of that. The bride and groom including us on their special day, their feast. Watching as family reconnected, couples and friends dancing on the floor, and even a photo booth to make memories that will last beyond a lifetime. That’s what heaven is all about, you know? Sitting around with all of those who truly love each other, just being there. Looking into the eyes of a loved one, as she tells you about her newborn grandchild, sharing pictures and stories. Smiling and laughing as you dance with the person across the table that you haven’t had a chance to see in years. Even shocking someone who thinks your always so serious, when they see you singing “girls just want to have fun” and dancing in your chair.
Heaven, though, isn’t something we just wait for, it’s just like this wedding. Jesus made it possible for us to experience it right here and now. Yes, at Mass most especially, but also in every moment of every day. The readings for today remind us in particular that it isn’t always easy to live up to your faith. Sometimes we want to hide it. Then you find a man like Julie’s uncle Bob, who is not afraid to have a good time. As we were starting to leave, he walked up to me and began talking to me. He took the rosary ring (the one in the image above) out of his pocket and gave it to me. He talked about it and how great it was for saying a decade here or there. I noticed Padre Pio on it, and it was literally all I could do to keep from crying. He may never know how much he touched me at that moment.
I was reminded of it today as we watched the Bishop confirm the young men and women at our parish. He reminded them that confirmation is to help us through those times that Jesus speaks of in the Gospel. When life is hard and being outspoken about our faith is even harder, knowing there are men who set the bar high like uncle Bob. Men who will share the Gospel in small, but meaningful gestures to remind us that God is watching over us. That whether at a family get together, at a party where the drinks are flowing, and the music is loud, on a bus on the way home, or on the battlefield defending the country we love that the still small voice of God is calling out, reminding us of how grand His love and designs are for us. That no matter what is going on around us, in the good times, and the bad… Jesus says “do not be terrified… not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.” I will be reminded of that every decade I pray on this ring, and may I always pray for uncle Bob, who reminds me to be a better man.
A reflection on the readings for November 17, 2019: The 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time