On Christmas Day, I heard Fr. Joe preach this wonderful Christmas story about the farmer and the geese in the snowstorm. It goes like this.
There was once a man who did not
believe in either the virgin birth of Christ or the spiritual meaning behind it
and was skeptical even about God. He and his family lived in a farm community.
"It's all nonsense -- why would God lower himself and become a human like
us? It's such a ridiculous story," he said.
One snowy day, the snow turned into a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax
before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump, something hitting
against the window. And, still another thud. He looked outside but could not
see anything. So he ventured outside for a better view. In the field near his house,
he saw, of all the strangest things, a flock of geese. They were caught in the
snow storm and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter, unable to do more
than flutter their wings and fly in aimless circles. He had compassion for them
and wanted to help them. He thought to himself; the barn would be a excellent
place for them to stay. So he opened the barn doors for them.
He waited, watching them, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside.
Nevertheless, they did not notice the barn or realize what it could mean for
them. He moved closer toward them to get their attention, but they just moved
away from him out of fear. Starting to get frustrated, he went over and tried
to shoo them toward the barn. They panicked and scattered in every direction
except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where
there was warmth, safety, and shelter.
He thought for a moment and realized
that they would not follow a human. He said to himself, "How can I
possibly save them? The only way would be for me to become like those geese. If
only I could become like one of them. Then I could save them. They would follow
me, and I would lead them to safety."
At that moment, he stopped and considered what he had said. The words
reverberated in his mind: If only I could become like one of them, then I
could save them. Then, at last, he understood God's
heart towards mankind and he fell on his knees in the snow.
Great story, but as I reflected on the meaning I wanted to take the story a step further into your imagination and think about the caregivers in your life.
On Christmas Eve, my next door neighbor’s housekeeper called me to say Maggie asked for my help because her cell phone was not working. I walked over in the snow and she showed me that every time she touched the number zero it did not record the number but a slash icon. I touched the pads and the number zero worked fine for me. Maggie presses zero and again the slash icon appears. We call Consumer Cell and the agent says she has life warranty and she can get a new phone. That means call the All State vendor, give them your warranty number, install a new SIM card, reset the system. Instead, I said “let’s practice using your phone.” Just tap zero and don‘t press so hard and the phone worked fine. Again, she practiced and her phone is working. However, before I leave, she says, “I got one more thing for you to look at?” Above her kitchen sink, the light is flickering. I climb the chair and luckily unscrew the fixture. Both light bulbs are shot, so I go back home to retrieve new bulbs and when we insert in the socket, “there be light” with no flickering.
This Sunday is called Shepherd Sunday, and you will hear cute stories about shepherds taking care of their sheep. I suggest we rename this weekend, “Shepherd Carergiver Sunday.” Why not remember the generosity and compassion of family members, neighbors and all our first responders who are “on-call 24/7” when a senior lights have gone out or their technology is on the fritz, or they have fallen in their home. Who comes to their rescue, their elderly sister, their daughter, or a kind neighbor, or the volunteer firefighter to pick them up off the floor.
When asked why would anyone go out of their way to help a stranger in need, think of our farmer and the geese who never realized that when he humbled himself to be those frozen birds, he found the compassion and patience to help.
Lord, I pray on this Holy Day “Shepherd Caregiver Sunday” for all my Sonshine Friends who are taking care of their senior parents, mentally challenged child, senior neighbors to the doctor office, physical therapy, pharmacy, grocery store, plowing the driveway, getting their mail, paying their bills, calling Medicare, or repairing a broken light bulb. May God bless you for your spirit of patience, generosity and compassion. Blessed are our caregivers, for you have a special place in heaven for your mercy and love.
