The Call (10/18/2025)

It was Easter Sunday, 1971. I was with my family in Sioux City, Iowa, celebrating when the phone rang. My brother answered and hollered into the dining room that it was for me. I took the phone and said, “Hi.” And the caller on the other end changed the trajectory of my life when she told me that because of me she’d joined the Catholic Church the night before at the Easter Vigil in Waycross, Georgia. That day I realized that I had no idea who was watching what I did, how I acted, if I loved.

It was my friend from Ware County High School in Waycross. I hadn’t heard from her that often since my family had moved back to Iowa. I couldn’t believe that we were talking again. And I couldn’t believe that I’d inspired her to become a Catholic. It was then that I realized how much our lives can matter in the scheme of things. And I remembered the poem by Edgar Guest, “Sermons We See,” that my older sister Betty had taught me. She believed in it. She lived it.

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day; 

I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way. 

The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear, 

Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear; 

And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds, 

For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done; 

I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run. 

And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true, 

But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do; 

For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give, 

But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

That day I learned how important it is to not just love Christ but to live Christ openly. I fail often, but I keep trying. My friend's conversion and her phone call taught me that we can bring Christ to others and others to Christ and not realize it immediately. That day I also realized that we have no idea who is watching as we live our lives and what difference it can make.

Who’s watching us today? Who’s been watching us this week? Was Christ visible in our words or our actions? Were we bringing Christ to others?

The LORD knows we aren’t perfect. But if we study our scripture, we learn in quick order that the LORD can make great use of less than perfect people like Moses, David, Peter, and Mary Magdalene.

Daily as I pray the Peace Prayer of St. Francis and ask the LORD, “LORD, make me an instrument of your peace,” I mean it with my whole heart. And I think of my friend. And I think of Christ being with me always, and trust that the LORD can use me if I put myself in His hands. And more than once over the past 50+ years I’ve discovered after the fact that the LORD granted me my petition, He allowed me to be His instrument, though I didn’t know it at the time.

May we seek daily to be the instruments of the LORD in this world for love of Him and love of one another.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.