Significant moments

One of my contemporaries once remarked that priests have the extraordinary privilege of being present at the most significant moments of people's lives.  For people of faith, we are present when they are welcomed into the family of faith (at baptism), when the decision of others is confirmed by each pilgrim him- or herself, at the time when they first meet the merciful God (in Reconciliation), when they receive the divine gift of the Eucharist, when they are suffering and need the healing power of a sacramental Anointing, even when they speak their words of love to one another.

Today was a day for such moments, and in this case they are related by physical space.

I always remember this insightful comment when I enter a hospital (as I did this afternoon), having been called to the bedside of one who faces the uncertainty of life changing reality.  These are moments of grace, spent at times with one and only one person, at others with family and friends gathered around, even as they seem to stand aside uncomprehendingly as the sacramental presence of the Savior is celebrated.

Later today, I had a moment to connect by phone with another aquaintence who was present at his wife's funeral today.  As we spoke, I could hear the uncertainty still in his words, but beneath all the questions, there is still, quiet faith, and this makes all the difference.