By Marge McGinley, National Formation Committee Chair
As Bl. Frédéric once said of his newborn daughter, “I cannot behold that sweet little face, all innocence and purity, without seeing the image of the Creator more clearly mirrored in her, than in us… Could God have selected a sweeter means of teaching, correcting, and placing me on the road to Heaven?”
Like Frédéric, I never thought I could love any deeper than the love I have for my children. It was a love that was almost indescribable. Do you remember the first time you held your grandchild? Yet, it is there! Is it possible, that for those transcendent moments we could begin to understand the depth of love God has for every one of us? Could we translate that love we experienced in that moment and imitate that love as we approach our neighbors in need? A single friend of mine once stated, “When I look at my brother with his grandchildren, I begin to understand what God’s love for us must look like.”
In that moment we realize that nothing could separate us from this child. As we gaze at this precious gift, it’s somehow different than other experiences. Perhaps we are wiser and we realize life is full of challenges and forever we will be linked to this child in our thoughts and prayers. Could this be just a piece of what God’s love is for us?
When we spend time with our community friends, do we dare try to see them through the eyes of God? With prayer we see the beauty of each person whom we serve. We can see what assets they bring to our world vs what they may be lacking. We are able to see how very precious and at times how very fragile our neighbor might be.
Recently, my home visit partner and I were supposed to take someone to an appointment related to her benefits. When we got to her home to pick her up, she answered the door in a very frazzled state. She said, “It’s a bad day, I’m not up to it.” She invited us in and explained her anxiety level, and she just couldn’t take on an interviewer at a government office. However, we spent time with her assuring her that we will try again another day. As we were leaving, our friend said, “You won’t forget me, will you?” In that moment, I could understand God’s gaze of love for us. “No, we won’t forget you – ever!”