Reflection for Monday, July 25, 2005: St. James, Apostle.
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Authors
Wirth, Eileen
Issue Date
2005-07-25
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Essay
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en_US
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"We are afflicted in every way but not constrained; perplexed but not driven to despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed." ||As I read these beautiful lines from St. Paul, two members of my personal Communion of Saints visited me. || Uncle Jerome who became a paraplegic in a tractor accident in his 30's, learned to walk on crutches and even to fly an airplane. He spent the next 50 years serving his parish, his community and his family despite continuing severe pain. His life was a daily lesson in courage for all who knew him. My friend, Mary Lutz of Kansas City, died of ovarian cancer in her 40's after a long battle. A nursing teacher, she turned her experience as a patient into lessons for her students.|Uncle Jerome and Mary exemplified the hopeful message of today's readings. You can be struck down but not destroyed even if you die far too young like Mary. Note the critical word can.|| It would be easy for someone like me who has never been tested by extreme adversity to wax eloquent about turning horror into good. That would be hypocritical. I don't know how I would handle something awful because I haven't had to do it. Suffering isn't fun or pretty. We all want to avoid it and escape from even ordinary feelings of depression, loneliness, departures of friends etc.||What's the best way? Try living the message of today's Gospel. "Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave." ||Think of the great, unsung cheerful people in your life. Chances are they spend their spare time dreaming up ways to help others. That's how I remember another member of my Communion of Saints, Kathy Thomas, who turned helping people into an art. ||"I'm mad," she called to say shortly after my husband and I had sponsored a Cambodian refugee family. "You haven't asked me to do anything. I'm sending Mark (her son) over with our old pool table. It will give them something to do." ||Okay! ||But Kathy, you were right. I picture you bustling around heaven now, briefly grabbing a seat a Jesus' right hand to remind him of someone who needs help. Like Kathy, we can do that here _ all of us, every day.
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University Ministry, Creighton University.
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These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.
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Lectionary Number: 605