Remembering Larry DiPaul

Editor:

The name Larry DiPaul is a household name for justice. We could place his name on coffee mugs and this would resonate the spirituality of peace and justice. This Altar Boy of West Philadelphia, a certificate which was hung on his wall, would always have a cup of black fair trade coffee in one hand and a Bible in the other, challenging us all to a lived spirituality.
Larry, who worked at the Romero Center in Camden and as director of the Office of Life and Justice for the Diocese of Camden, died Feb. 15.
I had the privilege of spending time with Larry and I could easily drop his name and get the Larry’s discount at Ten Thousand Villages.
You could always expect emails with a bold purple color sent with Merton’s reflections attached to an invite to a justice event. Larry had a gift of extending the invitation, and receiving a full crowd no matter the venue.
People from near and far today are reminded of Larry’s iconic presence, a presence which “…comforted the afflicted and afflicted the comforted….”
Larry was truly a voice who called people of faith to a seat at the table, rich and poor, black and white; interestingly, in these settings he would favorably state that this is communion. He would share a few “Larry Jokes”: “What would Jesus brew?” or “What was Jesus’ favorite car?” (The Honda Accord; since Jesus and his disciples were in one accord.)
Larry honored those with very little, who gave us so much through their rich stories. By spending time, using the simple ministry of presence, he learned names of people and encountered Christ in disguise.
He had the most profound realization from his friend, who lived in a Kenmore Refrigerator box, that our mission in this world is to handle each person with care.
These stories were not easy to swallow; they were frustrating and challenged us all to a reawakening. He always concluded his talks with an explanation of the Real Presence of Christ, which dwells within us.
Larry embodied a person who challenged the church to reflect on Scriptures using the blueprint of justice. He sharpened our moral compasses with new lens and renewed vision. His reflection on the Parable of the Good Samaritan calls us to constantly question: What will happen to a person in need if we refuse to help, not the reverse, which is generally what will happen to us.
As we mourn we are reminded to celebrate diversity, to be a presence of welcome, to open our tables up to the erudite and also the poor but also to live the challenge which Larry shared daily: a readiness to have a divine encounter with Christ in disguise.
You can find some of his writings in his blog:
http://wordandwine.org/category/contemplation/

Sherine Green
(former colleague of Larry DiPaul at the Romero Center, Camden)
Pastoral associate Youth Faith Formation
Christ Our Light, Cherry Hill