I went to a funeral two weeks ago for a good and holy man, one who baptized four of my five children. The person giving the memorial address for Rev. William Shelley told how the priest had become sick on the day of the party celebrating the 60th anniversary of his ordination. It was too late to cancel the party, so while everyone else went to the festivities, Fr. Shelley lay at home in bed. Later he said he hadn’t been alone: Jesus came and sat with him.
Start each day with encouragement for your soul. Order Mornings with Jesus 2019
“I’m missing my party,” he told Jesus, somewhat petulantly.
Jesus nodded, and replied calmly, “Do you know why?”
Fr. Shelley shook his head no.
Jesus said gently, “Because everything you think you accomplished, I did.”
There was a moment of silence. Then Fr. Shelley laughed. He laughed and laughed, enjoying the honest truth. That was the kind of man he was: one who valued Truth.
Jesus, he said, laughed with him. I laughed, too, hearing the story. And I thought it was a good place to start this new year: remembering that everything good I attribute to myself is really God acting in me.
Lord, for this year—or even just for today—keep me from obscuring the light you try to shine upon others through me.
