For the last
few years, I’ve written on October 17th about my grandmother and my
sister, who were both born on this date.
Well, I haven’t really written about them but rather wished them a happy
birthday and asked for their prayers.
When I went
to Mass this evening, my intentions were on their behalf. I thanked God for blessing me with both of
them. (Don’t worry Mom, I’m not
delusional—I’ll explain it more as I go along).
I was
listening to a radio program this evening in which young people were asking
Cardinal Dolan of New York questions of faith.
One of the questions was “How can I evangelize—or for that matter even
keep my own faith strong—when I have to work among men who have no interest in
God in general or religion in particular?”
His answer was (in a nutshell) to show his co-workers his faith through
his joy in knowing Jesus. I immediately
thought of my grandma. Every time I ever
heard her speak of our Catholic faith, I could feel her joy. I can’t ever remember her raising her voice
or using harsh words. What I remember
most is her commitment to Christ, her prayers, and her humility. She is the example of non-verbal evangelization
Cardinal Dolan was speaking of. I
credit her and my mother most for introducing me to what a prayer life should
look like and what I should strive for.
What I
credit my sister with is much more spiritual.
This may sound strange, but ever since I found out about Dorothy, I’ve
felt a bond—by that I mean a “sixth sense” sort of bond. It’s like she has been charged by God with watching
over her family from Heaven, and praying for us when we need “saint-strength”
prayers. She was only alive for a few
minutes after birth—just long enough to be baptized. Since she didn’t live very long, she couldn’t
possibly have sinned. Her Original Sin
was washed away by her baptism. So my
belief is that she is in Heaven right now, helping us through her prayers to grow
closer to our Savior. There have been
many, many times in my life when I have faced doubts about my faith. Then, a thought of Dorothy will intrude on my
thoughts and erase my doubts. Earlier
today, I was listening to a radio program focusing on twins and how many of
them share a sort of “sixth sense” bond.
They can be on opposite sides of the country and all of a sudden they
both get an idea or thought at the same time.
Or one will be ill and the other will know it without being told. Strange stuff. But I believe it, because I think I have a “twin”
of sorts—my “Irish twin” (without the derogatory meaning).
Happy
Birthday, Grandma!
Happy
Birthday, Dorothy!
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