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Word To Life
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Sunday Scripture Readings: Aug. 19, 2007
By Jean Denton
Catholic News Service
August 19, Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Cycle C. Readings:
1) Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10
Psalm 40:2-4, 18
2) Hebrews 12:1-4
3) Gospel: Luke 12:49-53
Yves chose to emigrate to the United States from his impoverished homeland of Haiti eight years ago, not an easy decision. He had a wife, three children and another on the way. Their plan was for him to settle in the U.S. and immediately begin the process to bring the family to join him. He knew from the beginning it would involve a long separation, as he had waited nine years himself for a visa.
Last month the family's long wait ended after eight years and about $20,000. To save airfare, I drove Yves three hours to a big-city airport to pick up his family of five. On the way, I wondered aloud, "How many people would have endured all those years to get to this moment?"
In Haiti Yves taught school. In the U.S. he works two or three minimum-wage jobs at a time to support himself and his faraway family. He scrimped to make an occasional trip home. And at each step in the agonizingly slow visa application process he paid more fees. He battled depression brought on by loneliness, overwork and stress.
As we approached the airport, he answered my wondering with a broad smile. "I knew it would be a long time, but it was not for me but for my children, so they will have a good life."
The family reunion at the terminal was breathtaking in its joy: the squeals, the hugs, the teary laughter. Yves and his 22-year-old son crammed nine large suitcases and all eight of us into the seven-passenger van. As I wheeled the journey-weary, happy family through the airport exit, there was a brief silence as the magnitude of the moment sank in. Then, Yves began to sing. Momentarily his wife Suzanne, sitting in his lap, joined in. Then, from the backseat came their son's baritone, followed by the sweet voices of the little girls. They sang two verses of the song and faded gently to the end when Yves spoke the words of the refrain: "Mesi, Bondye," Creole for "Thank you, Great God."
Thinking of Yves' trust in the ultimate providence of God, I understand the faithful endurance of Jeremiah in this weekend's readings and the psalm that described his deliverance: "The Lord heard my cry ... and he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God. Many shall look in awe and trust in the Lord."
QUESTIONS:
When have you had to endure a long wait or trying times? How were you aided by faith and trust in God?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"I am afflicted and poor, yet the Lord thinks of me. You are my help and my deliverer" (Psalm 40:18).
END
Copyright © 2006 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS Word To Life column may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service.
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