January 29, 2010
The Second Half
Love is patient
BY DEACON JIM AND ANN CAVERA
Last week our parish youth minister chaperoned a group of teens to the March for Life in Washington, D.C. Not having gone before, she had no idea what she was getting into. In spite of a long, grueling trip, huge crowds and having to sleep on a wood floor in a building with no showers, both teens and youth minister had a meaningful trip and are looking forward to going back next year. We are happy they had a good experience and want to go again. We are also very thankful we are no longer called upon to chaperone groups of teens. While teens are amazing young people, we are thankful our days of going without showers, riding long hours on buses and sleeping on wood floors are over.
We came to our parish almost five years ago and over the course of time we have become very comfortable with the shape our ministry has taken. We have also grown to love and appreciate the people in our parish. With that said, we know we are, once again all too soon, facing some major changes. Our number of grandchildren has doubled from one set of twins, to two sets of twins and these children are a source of light and joy in our lives. For the past four years, our son Chris has faithfully traveled some distance over tricky winter roads so that we can help care for them during their parents’ working hours. After much prayer, we feel called to move to their town. This past week has been one of beginning to tell friends of our plans, and that has been difficult. Just as something in us rebels against long bus rides and sleeping on gym floors, something in us also resists making changes of this magnitude so late in life.
Our last move took place after 35 years in the same location. It proved to be a major undertaking, but it was also a learning experience. This time we have more lead time and so we have already begun going through our closets. We quickly discovered a number of boxes that haven’t been opened since our last move. This time, we want to carefully decide what to take with us. Maybe that’s why this Sunday’s reading from I Corinthians means so much this week. It begins with the familiar words, “Love is patient . . .” and ends with “It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.” When love is involved, we travel light and really don’t know where we’ll be sleeping — and that’s okay. God is with us.
In the Gospel this weekend Jesus preached in his home church (the synagogue in Nazareth). He challenged the congregation’s faith in the same way that the prophets had challenged their ancestors and, like the prophets, he was rejected by them. Jesus did not meet their expectations (they were looking for praise and miracles). Love and faith call us to set aside our own agenda and be open to what God has in mind for us. While we open our lives to God’s call and make room for his possibilities, one small part of us still prays: “Please Lord, let there always be a soft bed and a good shower.”
Deacon Jim and Ann Cavera are former residents of Evansville; their award-winning column is a regular feature of the Message. Contact them at www.catholicseniorspirit.com.