Our Word Is Love

We went to a funeral today.  It was not a somber event.  It was a celebration of a great man's life shared through the Eucharist and the sharing of his family's love and devotion. 

I don't remember the exact date that I met this man, but it was many years ago -- close to 14 or 15, I would guess.  We began going to a new church on the eas tside of Tucson.  We had received a card in the mail telling us we were within the parish boundaries and that the first Mass would be held in a local grade school. We were curious and a bit weary of our present church.  Plus, we have always been "parish boundary" people -- feeling like we should be where God calls us to be.

One of the early blessings of this church for us,  was meeting this man and his wife.  They were so instrumental in this new church, that early conversations around their coffee table, in their home is where this church was conceived.  With the local Bishop's invitation and blessing, mind you.  From the moment you met them, you knew they were God's Grace wrapped up in a big red bow. He was Irish and she was Italian.  What a beautiful mix of spirit.  He with his tall, powerful presence and sense of humor that always brought a smile or laughter.  She with her soft, but powerful presence, that made you instantly sense, she was a woman to be recogned with.  When I say "powerful", I don't mean in a status kind of way. Indeed not. Though they were both highly educated and successful, they were also down to earth and no nonsense people.  Their power came in the knowledge that they knew right from wrong and were not shy to tell you about it. You learned early on what social justice meant to these two. 

He was a dentist who provided free dental care to the poverty stricken of our city one day every month throughout his career and even into retirement.  He provided free dental care to all clergy and religious who came to him.  He was a devoted and loving husband for 58 years and attributed his wife to teaching him about love.  He was the father to six biological children and one son from Sudan whom they called and treated like their own. They mirror his love and devotion to his faith.  He was Papa to 18 grandchildren who adored him.  It was easy to see in their faces and the words spoken that Papa was adored and cherished and will be greatly missed.  They too mirror his love of God and of all.  He has left a legacy of love. 

Together, this man and his wife have given over and over and over to the poor in so many ways.  Ministering to the Lost Boys of Sudan and Refugees from Iraq, as well as the local poor. They were not afraid to make an appointment with the local Bishop and tell him he wasn't doing enough.   When you were around them, you knew you should do more and you knew you could.  I have often told her how "I want to be like you when I grow up". 

They most special part of this service was when several of their grandchildren spoke together about their Papa.  They told us about a Christmas in the 80's when their Papa wrote something an placed it on the fridge forever more because it was his gift to them.  To make a long story short, it was a simple gift.  He talked about love and what it meant and ended with "in our house, the word is love".  That really left an impression on me.  Of course, we all think that our word is love, but how often do we stop and really give it thought and how often do we remind those we love about it.  And how often is our word, not love?  I plan to share this story with our kids and remind them that "our word is love" and the word in their homes should always be "love" to.  I hope the "love" is the word in your house too.