“I know you... him... her... !” A frequent follow-up to that line spoken with a certain “tone” suggests that the speaker is NOT impressed. There are days when we are ready to write each other off, when we are ready to write ourselves off, and, yes, days when we even are ready to write God off. Whether it’s from being pelted by the grains of sand that seem to be relentless or from being felled in one swoop by boulders of life’s toughest shots, we can feel unprepared, unable, or simply unwilling to believe in anything or anyone.
There also is the more seductive trail down which we can be led and by which we come to believe we know all that there is to know, about someone else, about ourselves, about God. That’s the trail down which we find ourselves more and more easily shrugging our shoulders, snickering, or rolling our eyes. We might still go along for the ride because it’s easier than putting up a fuss or fight, but really, let’s face it...
Whether it is sin or grace, enemies or friends, truth or lies, we are on much better ground if we are there in their presence honestly. It is fairly impossible to be right if we can’t dare to take the risk to learn if we are wrong.
This Monday, July 9 I will be making my way to the airport from which I will fly to Seattle for a 35th reunion with a number of my seminary classmates. I have a feeling that some of them, whom I have not seen since we departed Theological College of the Catholic University of America in 1983, might look at me and say “Well, I THINK I remember you ” They haven’t witnessed the gradual, heroic effort it has taken to age this way! I will be away through the following week, and Fr. Enoch Kyeremateng of the Diocesan African Ministry will be with you next week for the annual Mission Appeal. I know that you will welcome him warmly and I encourage your generosity, as always.
Many years ago, an older pastor advised me, “Remember, Tom, that every now and then the people have a right to your absence.” So, Enjoy!!!