There's a lovely tune from The Sound of Music, sung by Julie Andrews (Maria) and Christopher Plummer (The Captain) that I was reminded of this week, after receiving an email from someone I don't know. The song, "Something Good" has lyrics which read, in part:
Perhaps I had a wicked childhoodHere's the email that was sent to my military email address over here Down Range a few days ago:
Perhaps I had a miserable youth
But somewhere in my wicked, miserable past
There must have been a moment of truth....
Nothing comes from nothing
Nothing ever could
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good
Hi Father Tim,
I just wanted to write you and let you know how much I appreciate 10:00 mass on Sunday morning. It is truly a blessing to attend. I am not a Catholic, but my first Sunday in Iraq was Palm Sunday, and I have been going to Catholic mass every Sunday since I have been here. I am actually a member of the Methodist church (have been for about 15 years), but I feel most at home here in Baghdad at the Catholic service. I tried the Protestant services, and I felt very uncomfortable. I am so at peace at mass, and really feel the presence of the Holy Spirit there. I think it's funny how you say that Catholics don't read the Bible... I completed a few in-depth scholarly Bible studies before deploying here, and I find your homilies and the Scriptures each Sunday to be so incredibly appropriate and relative.I am not sure how much longer you will be here, so I wanted to let you know what a blessing you, and the Catholic congregation, have been for me in the first few months of my deployment. You have an amazing voice.His love endures forever,
[name withheld]
Who knew?
Blessings and peace to one and all,
Fr. Tim, SJ
2 comments:
When will you ever listen to your friends (she said with a wink)? You've done so much good for so many people that in just visiting one state (Calif.), your dance card is full of people who want to see you.
To paraphrase my sister's first boss, "you do good just standing around," (that's not exactly what he said but it will do for now.
Why do you think we miss you so much here in Mertonville? It's because you remind us all the time that what we owe God for unconditional love is service--and you live that by your example every day. And btw, Catholics aren't the only to notice this about you. Ask a certain Jewish mutual acquaintance.
So it takes a *METHODIST*, God love him, to convince you of what some of us obviously not been clear enough in communicating. Remind me to bring my Louisville slugger (I have one, don't ask) the next time I need to make a point with you. You've done a lot of good, remind us to do a lot of good, and show us every day by your example what that means.
So much for ordinary time!
It takes a
I know I am a few posts behind...and I often lurk instead of commenting, but this post really brought a tear to my eye.
Your voice and words are very comforting, and it's funny to hear you say that you might finally have figured out what an awesome presence you have on those you meet.
Thank you for your constant presence in so many lives, weather it's down range or on this blog!
Blessings to you!
P.S. I am a parishoner at St. Julie's in San Jose, CA - you filled in for Fr. Jon a few times and I was always so excited to see you as our "guest as honor!" Thank you again!
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