March 24, 2006

Dear Friends in Christ,
 
    This past Tuesday was significant for a couple of reasons.  First, it was the first full day of spring.  What a glorious time of the year, full of promise, hope, and life.  By now I would imagine the azaleas in front of the rectory are beginning to burst with color, the trees greening, and maybe even a little color around the church.
 
    The second reason it was significant is that it marked 100 days that I've been up here.  Somehow marking those days seems significant.  It gives something of framework for assessing where I've been and where I'm going. To look back on what has happened and look forward to what lies ahead. 
 
    In my case (as it is in most people's lives)it's been a bit of thrill ride these hundred days.  Right now the docs tell me I'm on the right path: no leukemia, fended off two infections, and, slowly, getting over the GVHD.  I still have a ways to go and am just weak as a kitten, but that too will change and improve.  It'll just take time.
 
    Today's Gospel is one of my all-time favorites.   The interplay between all the different groups is wonderful theatre.  Each different party trying to protect themselves from a truth that they could see and hear, but not quite ready to believe lest it cause them to truly believe.  But the heart of the scene is clearly the man who was born blind and yet now sees.  His relationship with Jesus mirroring the spiritual journey that we all walk.
 
    While the man born blind was able to see immediately upon doing what Jesus commanded, Jesus was still just "that man they call Jesus."  Pressed further the man confesses that Jesus is a prophet.  He begins to see that Jesus is more than just a man, but truly a "Man-of-God."  Finally, having challenged the powers that be, he is thrown out.  Jesus finds the man and in a personal engagement with him the man comes to truly see and believe: "I do believe, Lord."
 
    I don't know about all of you, but that sure mirrors my spiritual journey, and I thank God that he has been so patient with me.  As I look back on my life I can see the different stages and the relationship with God that I have had.  From an intellectual assent to what I was being taught and told, to that place where I am now.  It didn't happen over night, but has been a journey of a life-time.  These last two years have been an awfully important part of the developing of that relationship.  So I mark the days and look forward to tomorrow with hope and joy.
 
    I hope and pray that this has been a wonderful Lenten season.  To our RCIA candidates: you are in my prayers.  How I wish that I would be there with you to share the joy and majesty of the Easter Vigil, to welcome you into the Church and to share the Eucharist with you for the first time.  I'll be there with you in spirit.  To our First Communicants and their families:  Holy Thursday is such a beautiful night.  Know that I'll be with you in spirit, too. 
 
    Thanks for all the cards, letters, e-mails, and, above all, all the prayers and fasting that has sustained me during these 100+ days.  You are always in my prayers,
 
Peace
Fr. Rick
 
 GO TIGERS!