Sunday Homily, December 23, Fourth Sunday, Advent
Readings: Isaiah 7, 10-14; Psalm 24; Romans, 1, 1-7; Matthew 1, 18-24.
Isaiah: The great prophetic book. 8 centuries before Christ. Talking here about the coming of the savior.
The Gift of Life
Last Sunday morning ca. 1:30 A.M., a friend of mine was having insomnia. She got up without waking her husband. Got into her car and headed down Belt Line to get a coffee or something at the 7-11 on the corner near Central. Along the way she lost control of her Expedition, ran into a pole, and then slammed into another. Parkland Hospital awakened her husband at 3:00 A.M. to inform him that his wife Sally had just died in their emergency room.
I have known Sally Ann Kidwell Swenholt since the 60’s when she was a little girl and I taught her big brother John Michael at Jesuit, where he was a good basketball player. She was 48 and married 29 years to her high school boy friend. Her father had been my dentist in Preston Center until he retired and John Michael took over. She became a dental hygienist and cleaned my teeth every year or so. Her sister Susanne is a special friend. I have loved this family and been privileged to walk with them through some great times and some troubled times. This event has knocked me out. Why? And why at this time of year.
Some observations.
I can’t answer the why question for myself. It just happens. I can live with that mystery. However, one big lesson stands out for me: life is a gift. I may blow it off or I may treasure and appreciate it. Sally Ann did the latter and I hope to follow her example.
One of the qualities that endeared her to me was that she was a delightful airhead who chattered non-stop. The Kidwell dental office works very efficiently, on time. You get your teeth cleaned & X-rayed in 30 minutes. More attention needed, you make another appointment. I do not know how she & I ever got through a half hour appointment. Talk & more talk. Ever try to tell someone how your sister is or how the Masses are at San Vino with someone cleaning your teeth with a drill mounted brush? We always had so much to catch up on.
As a tribute to her person centered, caring life, as well as the Kidwell family, St. Rita’s was full with a thousand plus people. People were standing in the back. Even though I could not concelebrate with Phil Postell, the Jesuit president, I was delighted that I got the idea and then did it: I applauded after Shauna, Sally’s oldest child who also works at the dental office, gave a beautifully amusing & tear filled eulogy to her mom. In fact, though I fantasized that I might be clapping all alone, people not only jumped right in, but as Shauna came down & hugged her dad, the whole community stood and redoubled their applause. I was in tears.
One other observation. When Sally drove into that pole on Belt Line she did not have her seat belt on.
We are privileged to celebrate here this morning, we are privileged to celebrate Christmas tomorrow, we are privileged to be alive.
How are you treasuring this gift today?
