In these days leading up to my mother-in-law's death after a 3 year battle with cancer, I'm deeply aware of the power and strength of Christian community. Ellie lived for over 2 years with a community of nuns at Our Lady of Perpetual Care Cancer Home in Atlanta. They are an order, all RNs, who care for people with a terminal cancer diagnosis. She was never in pain, never lost any weight and was really never alone.
The other communities I am so aware of right now are the two congregations I have been fortunate to serve as a priest. The people of Emmanuel and of St. Paul's in Newnan have cared for our family in small ways and in large: cared for us as they care for others who are dying or watching loved ones die.
And then there is the community that is a bit harder to describe. It is the Communion of Saints, the great cloud of witnesses, that surrounds all of us as we move through life. I sensed them as our family gathered around Ellie and prayed the prayers of the church for the dying and I will sense them as we gather on Saturday to celebrate and to give thanks for Ellie's life and witness. In the ancient prayers, the hymns, the breaking and sharing of the bread all who have gone before and all who will come in the future are gathered with us in an unending "Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia."
It is in times like this, at the difficult turning points in our lives, that I'm so convicted of our need to be better at sharing the Good News. Too many people need what we have and don't have any way to access it. Or so they think.
I can't imagine living through these last few years without so many faithful and loving people to surround us.
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