November 25, 2005
As I sit here, I can not help but ponder on this week with grateful amazement. Like a hiker who reaches a plateau where she can turn back and look at the marvelous work of God, so do I feel. Even though there is more to go to reach the top, I am grateful to have even gotten here. This is present to me on many levels. Allow me to explain.
Firstly, it is Thanksgiving break and any student or laborer who has at least a couple of days off knows what I mean when I say I am grateful. But this is more than just being freed for a while from the day in/day out norm. Looking back on this week, I see the reason for my thanks. Monday we celebrated the presentation of Mary, when Mary was presented in the Temple by her parents. I can’t help but think that her young Immaculate Heart gave itself over completely that day again and forever. Then, on Tuesday was Saint Cecilia, who is more known for music—and what a song of self-gift she sang to Our Lord indeed in her life. A consecrated virgin, she spurned the suitor who would stop at nothing to possess her beauty, and when he could not have her, he would denounce her as a Christian and to martyrdom. Tradition has it that the executioner did not fully behead her and she laid suffering terribly in her last hours—all the while reaffirming her love for our Lord. Wednesday there was Blessed Miguel Pro (nice name!) who could not endure the thought of his flock going without the sacraments and duped the then quasi-socialist, crypto-democratic Mexican government with disguises and wit. He had many chances to leave Mexico, as many priests fell around him; but he could not leave his ever-growing flock even though they asked him to. As many of us know he was martyred, murdered shouting “Long live Christ the King.” For these who went before me I give thanks, and I am joyful.
Many could question my joy asking, “How can you find joy? How can you be grateful when these “saints” where struck down in the vigor of life, when there is not a leaf on the trees and winter’s hard edge presses your skin? How can you be joyful when nothing much has changed: the same poor came for their turkeys this year, not a few family members are still away from the Church, a dear friend of yours is being eaten by cancer—and yet you find joy?”
Yes, I do, for there is a “thanks” available to us that transcends away homogenous holiday of turkey and football. It is the mystery of gratitude that can give trial perspective. I know this is in the heart of a young man named Pavel who became a special associate to our community this week. Now 19 years old, he has suffered the effects of a virus that damaged his spinal cord since the age of 15. Living on a respirator and paralyzed from the neck down he said at the beginning of his illness, “I give thanks to God that his happened to me and not some other kid who does not know Jesus.” In his face I could see shades of Mary’s perfect self-offering, of Cecilia’s uncompromising love, of Miguel Pro’s zeal. In Pavel’s smile I saw hearty gratitude and intense joy. For this, and even for my tests, I am grateful.
Br. Agostino Miguel Torres, CFR
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