Dear Editor,
Last Sunday, Father Joe of St. Mary’s gave a brief, but moving,
sermon about the importance of seeing the Christ within people. The
response was immediate
– a round of applause – very rare in a Catholic Church.
Dear Editor,
Last Sunday, Father Joe of St. Mary’s gave a brief, but moving, sermon about the importance of seeing the Christ within people. The response was immediate – a round of applause – very rare in a Catholic Church. It took a while longer till I connected his words with the funerals of three people I love and who have set wonderful examples of seeing, and drawing out, the Christ within others.
It has been just a few weeks since Carmen Filice passed away, but 40 years since I met him. In all that time, I can’t recall him speaking ill of anyone. Always enthusiastic, he delighted in sharing views and information, you could sense a genuine excitement about learning. Despite health problems of his own, Carmen brought communion and Meals on Wheels to those who were confined. Just before his fatal illness, I heard him wondering out loud if there was something else he could do to bring a little light to others.
Carmen’s example impels me to defuse the anger that sometimes rises in me, to refrain from the snide thoughts and words that spring out when I am frustrated with the words and actions of others.
Carl Berta has been gone for only a few days, but his example is much like Carmen’s. At his services, one person after the other spoke of his gentleness and utter lack of meanness. Quieter than Carmen, Carl was as steadily positive and able to put people at ease. Carl’s “ministry” was closer to home, caring for his beloved wife Lee – first at home, then at the convalescent hospital – using songs and memories to lift her spirit. For a while I had been probing him for information about the colorful characters of Gilroy’s recent past and he shared wonderful stories that I know readers would devour.
However, when I asked him to join a few others as I interviewed them about Gilroy’s characters, he declined because he didn’t want anything to become public that might hurt someone’s feelings or reputation.
The death of Pope John Paul II has stirred a global reflection on how we can live out our faith through courage and conviction. I have sometimes doubted John Paul’s decisions, but still respected his integrity. Something I have never doubted is his deep love and compassion for people.
About 20 years ago I joined thousands in attending John Paul’s outdoors audience at St. Peter’s in Rome. As the ceremony concluded and people drifted away, I was drawn closer to the Pope. By the time he met with a group of nuns, I was within 100 feet. By the time he met with a group of people in wheelchairs, I was within 50 feet. I watched all his moments as he stopped before each individual and gave them his entire attention.
With each, he touched their head or shoulders, or held their hand. With each, he looked deeply into their eyes and it seemed they were, to him at that moment, the only person on Earth. Instead of breezing by, mouthing “Bless you, bless you …” and waving to no one in particular, this very famous head of a very large church devoted himself thoroughly and personally to these people. I was awestruck.
May we all strive to see the Christ in others.
Phill Laursen, Gilroy
