Communion of Saints
In November, I try to focus the kids in the program on our belief in the Communion of Saints. My hope is that as time goes on, they can access the gift of faith through this particular teaching. My hope is that it can bring them some solace when losses in their own lives happen. I want very much for them to see themselves as the eternal souls that they are and to be able to connect that with other souls. If we really looked at each other in a soulful way, we would be more tender and more loving. We would recognize that we are all here to do a job, to serve God’s purpose and to return when we are called.
It is one of the things I love most about our faith.
This month two souls who were part of my experience were called home. These incredible women, though very different, were quite similar in purpose: to serve others in the name of God.
Connie was a loving mother and grandmother and was a facilitator of the Loyola program that I completed. She was so many things but for me she was a guide. She understood deeper theology, she understood the gray areas, she challenged herself to be better, always. She loved Jesus with a persistent and unapologetic love. Thirty something years my senior, I occasionally called her mom (also her sass reminded me of my actual mother.) She helped me open scripture and guided me into a tangible experience where I was then able to guide others. When I felt overwhelmed by the cost of all of it on my heart or psyche, I would sometimes call her and she would listen and reassure me. Always with humor, she knew who I was and she encouraged me anyway. I see her smiling as I write this. I think she would be happy with being a guide, and maybe roll her eyes and laugh at my sniveling. Ha!
The second was a woman named Michelle. A lifelong member of our parish and a more recent friend. An overachiever with a capital “OVERACHIEVER,” Michelle was ravaged by cancer over the last six months. Despite her best efforts, her positive attitude and her deep faith, cancer got the best of her at 52 years of age. But that was just the last six months and not the story of her life. Her life was extraordinary in it’s commitment to service. But again, all of that aside, I want to publicly acknowledge what she gave to me. During the past several years, we came to know each other through various fundraisers at our parish but it was during the COVID shutdown that we really connected. As we began to re-open, it was her guidance (As an American Red Cross Coordinator) that I sought for safety procedures etc. But more importantly, she ministered to me. She made time for me whenever needed and she let me confide in her and I knew the confidence was well placed. She would say repeatedly, “If there is anything YOU need, I am concerned about YOU.” “I am here. I am happy to help. Just let me know what you need.” But she had her own infernos to put out so I tried not to bother her too much. Still, I was stunned at how heartbroken I was and am at the loss of such a wonderful, positive and genuinely kind (not to mention funny!) person. She took time to minister to the ministers. Her gift was invaluable.
The Communion of Saints.
It helps me hear them laugh, see their smiles, hear their voices as it reassures and comforts me that they are home. Home in the arms of the One they love. On day, as we were preparing for the re-opening of church and trying to navigate all that complexity, I said to Michelle, “Don’t underestimate the importance of what you are doing in this time, at this moment, to help keep the story going. It’s so important, and you stepped up when God called you, you said yes.” She stopped and looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, “That means so much to me.” It was then that I recognized her genuine love for Jesus. It was a moment I will treasure.
IS this all loss? Yes. Loss after loss after loss for some. It is hard to know what we do with it. But there is also HOPE. Hope in the promises that we have been given, hope in the promise that we will meet again. And so I turn to our faith, to our teaching, to the Communion that we will one day be reunited. But for now, I celebrate, I give thanks, I remember with a heart so full of gratitude for these extraordinary women, and I rejoice that they are being received back into the arms of Love.
