This morning, I went to Mass to celebrate All Saints Day. The 2 priests and deacon processed up to the altar at the beginning. I noticed the priest leading the way was struggling a bit. That would typically be the pastor. During the Mass, he didn’t read any of the scripture, or share the homily and seemed to be nodding off now and again. I wondered if it was the pastor who perhaps had a stroke. Both of my parents had a stroke, so I have an idea of what that looks like. When it came time for Holy Communion, the elderly priest made his way to the altar for the prayers. He read only a few sentences out loud and I was unable to understand what he was saying. He did hand out Communion, which seemed to go well as I happened to be in his line. After Mass, he stood in the vestibule to shake hands and wish people a blessed day, which is the usual. So, I shook his hand and thanked him. He responded with a warm handshake. I don’t really know the pastor who is new to the parish and have seen him only a few times, so even seeing him up close, I still wasn’t sure if it was the same man. Regardless of whether it was him or a different visiting priest, I was impressed with the care that he was given. He didn’t have to come out in public, but clearly it was something he chose to do. He didn’t have to hand out Communion or stand in the vestibule to greet people, but he did. The other priest led the Mass, but made sure he had what he needed at the proper times and watched over him. To me, it was a beautiful, loving example of publicly caring for someone in a difficult physical state. Instead of hiding, explaining, or pretending everything was alright, they simply went about business while making necessary accommodations.

I Found God today in an example of loving care.