Openness to Grace
Your phone rings. How do you feel about answering it?
I often joked with my students that their phone ringing and my phone ringing sounded quite different. When their phone rang, more often than not, it was a friend calling them wanting to either talk or do something. (Text messages are included in this as well. I am trying to be
not so “2002.”) For me, a phone call was more ominous and portentous. It either meant “more work” or “quick, I need you now!” Rarely was it a happy occasion.
A year ago, my phone rang. (Uh, oh!) I took the call and on the other end of the phone was a young woman. “Hey, Father,” she said, “you don’t know me, but you know my dad and step- mom.” (OK, I hope they are well…) “I recently got engaged,” (yep, more work) “and I was wondering if you would do the ceremony.” Even though I did not know the young woman, I had fond memories of her dad and step-mom, and even knew her maternal grandparents (more on them later). I agreed to do the wedding even though it was in January and in Washington, Missouri. (What could possibly go wrong in Missouri in the month of January?)
Actually, the wedding was less work than I imagined. The young woman and her fiancé lived in Las Vegas (Vegas!!), so I would be off the hook for their marriage preparation and all the ensuing paperwork. She had converted to Catholicism (more on that later), so all I needed to do was help them plan the ceremony, lead the rehearsal and preside at the wedding Mass.
The wedding was last Saturday and it was great. (Besides the 25 minute traffic jam on Highway 44 and the omicron spike.) I felt a bit sorry for them because many of their guests couldn’t make it (including the groom’s mother) because of both the weather and the virus.
Be that as it may, it was a memorable day. The bride and groom could not have been more gra- cious to me. Even though I barely knew them, we hit it off well. Beyond that, all of their friends were incredibly friendly to me. I had a blast at their reception. They were all dragging me into selfies and toasts, making me feel included. (Now that I am in my mid-sixties, I am usually not included in the festivities as much.)
It was great reconnecting with my old parishioners from Neier. It is always a bit awkward going back to a place where you spent so much time and where a piece of your heart will always re- main, but it was as if I had just left and they made me feel welcome.
It was equally awesome spending some time with the bride’s grandparents. Her grandfather is a retired UCC minister and her grandmother was on the board of Habitat for Humanity with me sever- al years ago. They are both in their nineties, but are still sharp and great to converse with. Her grandfather asked if my church was close to Eden Seminary and I when I said it was just across the street, he eyes lit up.
It was powerful celebrating the Sacraments with two people who are invested in their faith and strive to live it out. As I said, the bride converted to Catholicism and the groom is involved in his faith. He has to take care of his mother who is dealing with Alzheimer’s, yet he realizes that this is his duty, not only as a son, but as a follower of Christ. They are both amazing individuals.
The moral of the story is that I would have missed a lot of grace had I said “no.” There was every reason to do that. I didn’t know the couple. The ceremony was 45 miles away. What if there was inclement weather? (there was!) They really just needed a warm ordained body.
Father Kevin
Thankfully, I agreed.
When you open your heart to God’s grace, when you dare to answer God’s call, some amazing things can happen. Grace can enter into your life. Bbbbbrrrring! (don’t just send it to voice mail!)