There are many bad things
about this pandemic – the fact that I am here without you, crowning Mary by
myself = but the worst thing – so many cannot be with their loved ones in the
hospital or nursing home. A couple of days ago I had a drive by blessing for man
who died of COVID-19 and for his family – they had not seen their loved one in
four weeks. If that happened to me, I think my heart would break in a million
pieces.
So, I know that I was very
blessed to be at the bedsides of both my mother and father. It was not easy,
but I am glad I could be there.
My mother was home with
hospice for her last weeks.
As time went on, she was more
and more confused.
She began to say – “I want to
go home!”
I would say – “Mom, you are
home – 33 Highland Ave.”
She would give me a look each
time – are you crazy? This is not home!
As I prayed about it, what
she said began to take on another meaning.
No, this is not home, not
like this – I want to be at peace, not suffer any more, be with God – that home.
I want to go home.
At the Last Supper, as He was
preparing His disciples for His death, He spoke about that home. He said: “In
my Father’s house – many dwelling places – otherwise, how could I tell you I
prepare a place for you – I indeed go to prepare a place for you, and then I
will come back to take you with me – where I am you also may be.”
My Father’s house – heaven –
we think of it as a location – but so much more – a relationship – love of
Father for the Son – the Son for the Father – a place of love.
I know that home can be a challenging
place right now. I see that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are so sick of one
another they are living at opposite ends of the house.
But to the degree that we
love – remember now – love is willing the good of the other - God is there,
heaven is there. All the way to heaven is heaven said Dorothy Day
How do we get there - asks
Thomas – how can we know the way?
Jesus – I am - I am – words spoken
to Moses at the burning bush – I AM one with the Father - the way - the truth & the life – follow me – this
is the way to love. He is the Way that leads to the Father’s House.
Without the way – there is no
going without the truth – there is no
knowing without the life – there is no
living.
A story is told of a group of
men serving in Normandy during WW2 - saw signs with street names – lets turn
them around – changed directions – seemed funny at the time.
Later they felt guilty – how
many did they lead astray - not just
that day, but in their lives. They pointed the wrong way.
Remember I was in Ireland
asking for directions – Right at light – left – right. Sometimes I guess I
looked so confused they would say – just follow me – I will show you the way.
Show them the way – by how you live your faith – by your love.
Mom said - I want to go home
–
But in one sense she was
already there! – a woman who lived the Way – who showed ME the way!
Because the Lord was
always: her way – truth – life!
