We live in a world that is completely obsessed with what we produce. Our culture tells us that our worth is tied directly to our bank accounts, our job titles, and our resumes. We play an exhausting game of keeping up appearances, constantly wondering if we are only as good as our last big achievement.
But Jesus turns that entire upside-down reality on its head. He showed us that real strength isn't found in a corner office or behind a polished desk. True greatness isn't about climbing a ladder; it’s about stepping down into the mess of everyday life right where it hurts.
I just returned from the retirement Mass and reception for Bishop John, where I had the privilege of taking photos and serving as the master of ceremonies. Standing in the pulpit to share these very thoughts during the homily I gave at his retirement Mass, and looking out at the crowd later at the reception, I realized that his entire legacy boils down to one beautiful grace: the quiet charism of showing up.
Showing up means being there in the hospital room when a family gets heartbreaking news. It’s sitting quietly in a nursing home with someone who feels forgotten, or standing in a parish hall after an unexpected crisis. Bishop John did that for decades. His family—his wife Sherri, his kids, and his grandkids—remember a man who routinely left the dinner table because a parishioner was in crisis. He didn't manage from a distance; he showed up.
Of course, doing this work for forty years also means making a few hilarious human stumbles along the way. We misplace our glasses, stumble over our words, and occasionally leave our wireless microphones turned on at the most awkward moments imaginable. I am pretty sure Bishop John once delivered a traditional confirmation tap on a teenager's cheek with just enough enthusiasm to make the kid think he was being challenged to a duel right there at the altar! But God doesn’t need flawless corporate managers. He uses our everyday human quirks to let His real grace shine through.
As Bishop John steps back from the heavy administrative meetings to enjoy well-deserved time with his family, his shepherd’s heart isn't retiring. He leaves behind a deeply unified community, a dedicated group of local leaders he helped nurture, and a legacy that is completely secure.
Our world doesn't need more flashy strategies; it needs people who are willing to be present for one another. What is one practical way you can simply "show up" for someone this week?
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends. Clear away our obsession with worldly success and open our hearts to the beauty of quiet service. Give us the courage to step away from our desks, abandon our need for recognition, and simply show up for one another in our brokenness. We ask Your sweetest blessings upon Bishop John, Sherri, and their beautiful family as they begin this next season of rest, hope, and deep peace. Amen.
