Scripture:
Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5
Luke 21:1-4
Reflection:
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
I’ll never forget a young family I met when I was a pastor. The wife/mom was a beautiful, Irish woman, radiant, red hair, beautiful green eyes. The husband and father, a handsome German guy, blond haired & blue eyed. Even as a high school student, he told me once that he already dreamed of having a family — and five children. And he also had chosen names: Frederick, Gretchen, Carl, Birgit. They did have four kids, but their names were Sean, Colleen, Patrick, Shannon!
One day when the mom was preparing supper, she heard the nine-year-old say to his little brother. “Say it again and I’ll give you my good ear.” The very next morning they were visiting the ENT specialist. The boy was diagnosed with a brain tumor… and the care they received was excellent. The tumor was benign.
I was in the hospital room when the siblings finally got to see their brother. Shortly after surgery, his head was shaved, he had a black eye and bandaged; he must have looked scary… as his little sister spontaneously burst into tears. Then, probably it was the culmination of all the raw emotion — fear & worry, gratitude & relief — well, it triggered chain reaction… Mom sobbing, then Dad broke down. But as minister, I held strong!
Back in the parking garage, however, sitting in my car, I lost it… yes, a complete meltdown. All I could think of was that Taizé chant, Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Where charity and love prevail, there is God.
Some cultures remove their shoes in God-presence, or take off hats or put on veils; sometimes all we can do is sob.
In today’s Gospel we again hear the consoling Jesus, the compassionate one who seeks to encourage. Jesus is not so much praising the widow but criticizing the religious culture that would expect such a donation.
In these final days of the liturgical year, maybe we aren’t expected to identify or imitate the extravagant descriptions of those worshipping the Lamb. After all, “unblemished” or “no deceit was found on their lips” (Revelation 14) sounds remote. Even the destitute but generous widow seems surely beyond my reach! But the challenge is to trust that the Lord will transform our darkness to light, our anxiety to hope. We’re ready for Advent! Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Fr. Jack Conley, CP, is the local superior of St. Vincent Strambi Community in Chicago, Illinois.