Last week we remembered Blessed Joseph Gerard, an Oblate priest who spent most of his time as a missionary in South Africa. In his journal he described what it means to be an Oblate: “I imagine a priest, a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate, in a mission. He wants to see everything with his eyes, know with his heart, give joy to everybody by his presence, be all things to all people to win them over to Jesus Christ.”
As I reflect of these words I cannot stop thinking about an Oblate I know personally here in Australia. Somebody described him as a legend of our Province. F John is in his eighties now. Although he isn’t well he simply radiates love and joy around. If I can make it I go to see him every week. I may sound selfish but every time I see him I feel like I am a changed person. Fr John has been always known for his faith in Christ and his interest in the lives of the people. Today due to his health he cannot go out much but what amazes me is that people come to him. I have seen people bringing to him their elderly parents or grandparents so that he could minister to them. His mind is still sharp and he makes the best of it. I am fascinated how many details he can remember from our previous conversations. He genuinely cares about you.
Lately I have had a privilege to concelebrate Mass with him. I think I could stay in the chapel of the presbytery for hours watching him. He was so captivated by what he was doing that he seemed to be in a different world. These days he is constantly plugged into oxygen but as I was looking at the machine I thought that it is simply a reminder that the saintly Oblate is plugged to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit flows into Fr John divine love Jesus spoke about. That’s why he is spreading so much joy and love in spite of his fragility. Would you believe that during that Mass which was like a private Mass with just a couple of people he gave a homily? As I was listening to him talking about love of God I couldn’t help thinking that he was talking as if he had been already in heaven. Actually he was talking he was taking us to have a glimpse of heaven.
As I reflect of these words I cannot stop thinking about an Oblate I know personally here in Australia. Somebody described him as a legend of our Province. F John is in his eighties now. Although he isn’t well he simply radiates love and joy around. If I can make it I go to see him every week. I may sound selfish but every time I see him I feel like I am a changed person. Fr John has been always known for his faith in Christ and his interest in the lives of the people. Today due to his health he cannot go out much but what amazes me is that people come to him. I have seen people bringing to him their elderly parents or grandparents so that he could minister to them. His mind is still sharp and he makes the best of it. I am fascinated how many details he can remember from our previous conversations. He genuinely cares about you.
Lately I have had a privilege to concelebrate Mass with him. I think I could stay in the chapel of the presbytery for hours watching him. He was so captivated by what he was doing that he seemed to be in a different world. These days he is constantly plugged into oxygen but as I was looking at the machine I thought that it is simply a reminder that the saintly Oblate is plugged to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit flows into Fr John divine love Jesus spoke about. That’s why he is spreading so much joy and love in spite of his fragility. Would you believe that during that Mass which was like a private Mass with just a couple of people he gave a homily? As I was listening to him talking about love of God I couldn’t help thinking that he was talking as if he had been already in heaven. Actually he was talking he was taking us to have a glimpse of heaven.
Our High Mass
Fr John giving a homily. Is it the oxygen that makes his so lively or is it the Holy Spirit brining the air of heaven into his soul?
Jesus and his faithful servant.
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