Many Hands (12/13/2023)

Last evening, as we ended a grief support gathering at our parish center, those present offered to help me put the room back in the order that I’d found it before the meeting. They helped move tables and chairs. What had taken me 15 minutes to set up, took the group seconds to reverse. I was so grateful. And then they insisted on waiting for me to turn off lights so they could walk me out to the parking lot. I must admit, the first thing I did when I got to my car, before the seat belt or ignition, was to say a prayer of thanksgiving for not only many hands but generous souls.

As I look about me, I see so many things that need to be done in our world. One person cannot possibly tackle it all. And I think of my patron saint, St. Catherine of Siena, a most independent and feisty woman. In The Dialogue, the LORD reveals to her that she is not meant to do it alone, to go it alone; we are called to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and often the Spirit is manifested in the words, actions, and presence of others.

My grandma Boyle used to tell me that even we short and seemingly powerless people can do great things when we recognize that we aren’t called to do everything but we are called to do all we can whenever we can for whomever we can. And, as she assured me, if we do that, it’s amazing what we can accomplish.

I’ve seen my grandmothers wisdom play out so many times. An example many of you read about in this blog recently is the “Cookie Walk” at our parish. So very many individuals came together with what they could offer, cookies and candies, time and talents, and monetary donations. And so many members of our local community that day were able to get cookies and candies for their family at a reasonable price and our goal for raising funds for our group to continue to serve our community was met. In February, the women will join together to provide a free Soup Supper to the community, donating soups, their time, their skill, their service. And not only will others be fed, our community will grow. It does every time.

As we continue on our way, let us be vigilant for those needs around us that we could surely address with a few minutes, a bit of skill, and a generous heart. Key among those needs is the need of others we encounter along the way. Let us be willing to slow down and accompany others. Let us offer our time, our talents, our treasure to grow the community, to address the needs of others around us, and to glorify the LORD through loving words and actions, following in our Savior’s footsteps.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.