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Ordinary 28 – 2007 - C
14 October 2007
Fr. Carl McCarthy – Compliments of TL
In some ways, the relationship of Calvin and Alice Trillin
seems to be one out of storybooks -- the kind of relationship and
friendship that we all hope for, that we would never take for granted if
we had it.
The love story of Calvin and Alice began at a party in New
York City as a relatively young, aspiring writer desperately tried to
impress a young woman who, in his estimation of her, “seemed to glow.”
Thirty years later, after they’d been married nearly that
entire time, Alice observed: “You know, you’ve never again been as funny
as you were that night at that party where we first met.” “You mean I
peaked in December of 1963?” he asked. “I’m afraid so,” she responded.
Alice died six years ago, while awaiting a heart
transplant. Calvin has written a fascinating, intimate story of their life
together, but really it is a story about his wife, Alice’s life. She was,
he admits, the person who kept his life balanced. She taught him and
believed in the pure power of love.
In the book, Calvin tells the story of Alice, working as a
volunteer counselor at a camp for children with disabilities. One little
girl struggled with more limitations then any of the others. But despite
her severe disability, she seemed charmed in some way. This girl possessed
a radiance that made other children and counselors happy.
One day while Alice was caring for this girl, the mail came
and was being distributed. Alice couldn’t resist sneaking a peak at a
postcard from the girl’s mother. Maybe it would reveal why this girl was
so happy.
The postcard read: “If God had given us all the children in
the world to choose from, we would have chosen you.”
Alice immediately showed the card to another counselor. “Look
at this,” she said, “this is the secret of life, to be cho sen
by God.”
That little girl knew what it was to be chosen, and it made
all the difference in the world. It brought joy to her life in the midst
of all the challenges she endured.
Each of the 10 Lepers who encounter Jesus have been chosen
-- sought by God and called his children. And yet only one of them
realizes it; only one of them realizes he has been healed; only one
recognizes the secret of life that has been restored by Jesus. Only one of
them realizes that he has been chosen, and, for him, life is fully,
dramatically, and powerfully changed.
We could call this gratitude, but it’s far more than
gratefulness. Gratefulness is the first sign, but living a purposeful life
is the total sign of the secret of being chosen by God.
And what about us? We are told that we are chosen by God. Do
we believe it and if so, what difference does this make in our lives?
Does this promise of being chosen affect us, transform us, and change us?
Maybe, like the Leper in the gospel, who comes back to say thanks, our
transformation begins with gratitude, but we must also live as people
chosen by God. Maybe this liturgy of thanksgiving can help to move us
further along the path of conversion, towards living as if we truly
believe we are chosen by the Lord and that Jesus is our Salvation.
sdrose@bellsouth.net
11-3-2007 |