Communion of Saints Feb 6, 2017
Before returning to the Cenacle to help out with the January session, I was re-reading the story written by Diane Brown about the beginning of the House of Prayer, published in “New Covenant” magazine. One part that always caused me to pause was her recounting of the death of their son Graham in a boating accident. He was only 15, and was being towed on an inner tube behind a boat, when the driver turned too close to the dock. Graham was slammed into a piling, and died instantly. This tragedy became the hinge of Diane’s own conversion, and now almost 35 years later to the continuing expansion of the Marian Servants, the School of Spiritual Direction and Retreat Ministry.
My reason for being drawn to this accident is the similarity it shares with an incident in our own family’s life. Our son Steve, about 7 years old, was being towed on an inner tube behind a boat being driven by his dad, which also came too close to the dock and Steve was slammed into that dock. He was wearing a life vest, and struck the dock square on his chest, actually hitting it so hard that the dock, set on wooden horses, was moved. I was standing in the water close by, and quickly scooped him into my arms and prayed fervently in the spirit for him. As it turned out, he only had the wind knocked out of him, and he suffered no serious injury. Had he hit the dock any other way, he could easily have been killed or at least very badly injured.
These memories were often on my mind during the school session, and I thought if the opportunity presented itself, I would like to share this story with Diane. The two weeks passed however with no convenient time to speak with her, so I had pretty much put the thought aside as we prepared for the closing graduation Mass. During the Mass however, I began re-living that experience again, and my heart was moved to tears. Somehow it became clear to me that in some hidden way there was a spiritual connection between the two accidents, and that Diane’s grief and sorrow, along with the prayers of her son, had somehow been instrumental in sparing Steve’s life. This was a very strong impression, and it was reinforced by recalling other events of the school session.
During one of the practice demonstration sessions, one of the students mentioned the communion of saints in regard to Ron’s passing. This struck a chord for many of us, and for me this was like another piece of my puzzle falling into place. The communion of saints – interceding for us, and helping us on the journey. Many saints have stated before their deaths that indeed they can be of more help to us from the other side – when their plan and purpose is accomplished here on earth, they can readily go to heaven to continue providing help and blessing for those remaining.
I’m currently taking a class on the Catechism, and the required reading last night included a passage from Lumen Gentium 50 which focused again on the communion of saints, and specifically how we are especially united with them in the sacred liturgy. It was during the Mass that I received this strong impression of spiritual connection.
It was also tied to the power and value of Diane’s deep grief, united with the Passion of Christ, that can provide precious grace to others. John Cardinal O’Connor wrote a reflection on “Serving Through Suffering” that has always been meaningful for me. He speaks of the pain we all experience as human beings, and of its incredible value when united with Christ on the Cross. An excerpt reads, “when (Christ) was crying out, ‘My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ He was filling billions of hearts yet to come with comfort, with peace. I unite a headache, a backache, a heartache with Christ on the Cross, and wondrous graces flow into the heart of a widow who has lost her only son in Nigeria… My pain, trifling or overwhelming, has not gone wasted.”
My thought is that somehow Diane’s pain, and Graham’s prayers, reached beyond time to touch our son Steve’s life. Steve is 33 now, and has many struggles, and many gifts. It’s always been on my heart that God has His hand on him in a special way, and my many prayers continue that he will come to know God’s love and fulfill the purpose he’s been designed for. The gift of the experience of spiritual connection gives me renewed hope, gratitude and trust that God’s plan will come to fulfillment in Steve’s life. Diane’s article closed with Romans 8:28, a very favorite verse of mine, as she wrote, “I have learned a great deal… that all things – even tragic things – work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purposes.” I don’t know how this story will continue to unfold, but I trust that the Good God is at work to accomplish His purposes, and I thank Him for the blessing of Diane’s yes that has brought so much healing, hope and grace! The communion of saints, both living and dead, supporting and interceding for each other, is very much alive in the Marian Servant community, and I’m grateful to be an associate member of this community!
Spiritual Sun Pennies 