She was fearful about her brother coming to visit. He had asked her to be the godmother of his newborn child. You would think that would be a moment for a great party and celebration, Instead, there was a caveat to this invitation to stand up as the child’s godmother. The priest at her brother’s church asked if his sister was “in good standing.”What was that all about? This comment made her nervous, uncomfortable and sad to say a tad ashamed. This was the same sister who took care of her elderly father in her home for over thirty years. This was the mom who opened her door to her adult daughters to come back and live in the old homestead after their broken relationships. This is the same lady who visits her 90 something-year-old aunt in hospice everyday. She would never think to leave her aunt’s side at this stage in her life. Yet, she was bewildered and perplexed with the question: “Are you in good standing?”
What makes a person "in good standing?" Did she attend Mass every Sunday or only on Christmas and Easter? Did she make her Easter duty? Did she have envelopes and contribute to the fuel fund? Most likely, she felt that she would have failed this litmus test. However, when it came to being an extravagant hostess, providing hospitality to family and friends, providing extraordinary customers service to strangers, practicing patience with friends, and offering her expertise in selecting flora and fauna she would have passed any test with flying colors.
Still, she struggled with the question and worse felt that she was somehow unworthy to serve as godparent for her brother’s child. She did not want to be a hypocrite. Yet, her ordinary life was filled with hands and heart offering life and comfort, forgiveness and tenderness to others in need. When I asked her what did she think about being “in good standing.” She went silent. So I reassured this meek and humble heart that her ordinary efforts at bringing comfort to the sick, acceptance to the abandoned, and love to the lonely count as extra points in this exam. Under the watchful eye of our Creator who sees all the good things we do for others, our extravagant God marks on a curve. This sister has nothing to fear for she is more than worthy to serve as a godparent. She lives in the spirit that graces others by her generosity and extravagance to care for others.
God prays for us as we reflect: “When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.” (Psalm 104:30).
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends whose ordinary lives perform some extraordinary feats of love. Let us be mindful and grateful to those folks who bring meal on wheels, donate clothing, visit the hospitals, nursing homes and prisons and send your Spirit of love to renew the face of the earth.
