The young priest is a “Son of the Parish,” having attended the parish grade school and Camden Catholic High School, Cherry Hill. As such he is loved by the parishioners and we were delighted to learn that our bishop has graciously permitted Father to spend the summer with us in Merchantville.
As I settled back to listen to his homily, I must admit I was a bit skeptical. I thought, “Well, young man, I have been a daughter of the church for many years, what can you say that I have not heard before?”
Father began his homily by mentioning his ride to the sea-shore and cleverly discussed the difficult traffic patterns and the many tie-ups he encountered. He cleverly established a common bond with his listening audience. I gave him “A” for that.
I was jolted to attention when he invited the congregation to sit at the feet of Our Lord and allow him to radiate us with his love. “Talk about a radiation treatment,” Father said. “Wait until you have experienced this.”
Radiation was something I learned a lot about from my neighbor Barbara. She had many such treatments during her fight with breast cancer. I remember asking her if it was painful. She explained that it was not and she would not have known anything was happening if the technician in charge had not told her it was time to leave. Her doctor, however, assured her that the radiation treatment was very effective and she is cancer-free at this time.
I never thought of God’s love the way Father spoke of it. But there is a similarity. You don’t feel anything, see anything, but you know it is there just the same. The word radiation and the thoughts that it bring to my mind have stayed with me these many weeks since I listened to Father’s homily. While awaiting a rather unpleasant treatment in the office of my dentist recently, I was reminded that God’s love could even radiate this space and time. That thought really helped a great deal.
That phrase, “Let the love of God radiate you,” has sustained me, encouraged me and I bless Father for these holy words. Father is a happy priest and listening to his homilies makes me happy. Thanks Father, and thank you bishop for your generosity in letting Father spend the summer with us.
Patricia McHugh
Merchantville