Written by Sr. Rosemary Finnegan O.P.
The Sister in my Adrian Congregation who was my novice mistress, mentor, and inspiration all these years, Sr. Rosemary Ferguson, died 3 weeks ago at age 92. She was a remarkable, respected and revered woman who went on to be the Prioress of our Congregation, which enabled her to influence not only us, but also the church at large during a critical and tumultuous time after Vatican II. She wisely taught us many lessons, and even at the end, she taught us how to die gracefully. At her funeral, she left this written message which was read to all of us, her loved ones:
“My love has seeded itself in my heart for always. All we shared then, newly, has grown wiser, deeper, even more caring and ... onward to heaven’s time. No fear have I, only the deepest and most loving gratitude for these precious years.”
We remember the last things our loved ones say to us. We hold as precious their final thoughts and words. They made me wonder what words I might speak to others in my last days, or to someone I loved who was leaving me. What are the words we need to say from our heart to one another?
In today’s readings, Paul and Jesus are each completing their life’s work and are anxious to share one last message with their followers. They are both reflecting on the way they had responded to their calling. Jesus knew he had finished the work that God had given him to do. Paul, too, had a sense that he had fulfilled God’s mission to the best of his ability.
Yet, as Jesus was sharing his beautiful prayer to his Father at the Last Supper, think of who was there listening………a handful of disciples, one who would betray him, another deny him, and the rest desert him. As far as carrying on the work, it didn’t look promising.
But Jesus didn’t seem discouraged. He knew that God’s kingdom would spread because the Holy Spirit would come to his followers, empower them, strengthen and support them.
As we anticipate celebrating Pentecost next weekend, we can take this time to reflect on how we’ve responded to God’s call. God has given each of us something to do in this life. Whatever it is, it’s a small part of something larger. The seeds of love and kindness, peace and reconciliation that we sow, do grow. What we do for the poor does comfort and provide.
It was St. Francis de Sales who said that most of us do not have the opportunity to do great things, but each day we can do little things with great love.
Let us pray to be faithful to the little things God has given us to do. God considers them very precious.
