Over the years, a priest can encounter many hundreds (even thousands) of people. Some of these are in passing at a baptism or wedding. Some remain distant, no closer than the twentieth pew on the left or in the fleeting moment of the Communion line. But others draw near, giving and receiving life. This week the folks of the small rural parish where I was pastor for eleven years, buried Tina, a most dear and gracious lady. Pastor's Delight.
Tina was a real, but not high profile parish presence—quiet, unassuming. No gossip, tale bearing, judging, tysking. She had the clean heart of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. When a large group of us pilgrim-d to Lourdes, she took on the simple yet demanding work of the piscines. So, I want to bless God—God arranging that our paths should cross, grateful for her patterning the beauty of the Gospel.
Tina, bless you
for your un-grasping friendship,
your cultivation of plants,
respect for animals,
your Cristic cornerstone.
Tina, bless you for your embrace of Gospel ABC's,
for your elegant goodness,
freedom of self-gift,
the spreading of your table.
Tina, bless you in your modesty,
your authentic devotion,
and refusal to hate,
in the silence of your light heart;
your repentant heart.
Tina, bless you for your discretion and wisdom,
the simplicity of your prayer,
your embrace of things necessary,
in the readiness of your smile.
Tina, bless you in your appreciaton of beauty,
the valuing of the little and the small,
your docility,
yielding, bending, surrendered.
Tina, bless you,
tintinabulator of God's good news,
that universal,
enwrapping love—
love for each and all.
