Even though the celebration of morning Mass for the Columban community in our house chapel seemed like a burden for Fr Jack, he continued to add his name to the rostrum. In his early eighties, he struggled to put on his vestments, fumbled through the missal, and stumbled through the homily.
For these reasons, his Columban confreres discouraged him from celebrating Mass in public in any of the local churches. However, from time to time, the Korean migrant community invited Fr Jack to celebrate Mass. Since he had spent many years as a Columban missionary in Korea, such an invitation always delighted him. However, knowing the various difficulties he experienced whenever he celebrated Mass with fellow Columbans in English, I had serious reservations about him celebrating Mass in public in Korean.
On one occasion, I shared those reservations with some members of the Korean migrant community. They readily acknowledged Fr Jack's difficulties - his movements were generally clumsy, his message was frequently incoherent, and he was easily distracted. Yet, from their manner of speaking, it seemed to me that none of these limitations mattered much to them.
Seeing my puzzled expression, one of them gazed slowly around the group and then thoughtfully explained, "For us, Fr Jack is like our grandfather. We know that he has various limitations now due to his advanced age, but we can never forget all the ways he supported and cared for us in this strange city over many decades. Even now, he knows what's in our hearts and we know what's in his heart. His presence here among us continues to be a source of encouragement, strength and comfort for us, just like the presence within a family of a beloved grandfather who has grown frail and forgetful."
While many of us younger and more active missionaries like to think of ourselves as engaged in various projects and programs that bring about changes that visibly impact our world, the truth is that so much of the time all we can offer those around us is our presence. In several of our mission countries, political instability, corruption, and poverty over many decades have resulted in widespread paralysis within society.
While missionaries feel as helpless as the local people in their efforts to bring about much-needed change, our willingness to remain with them, to carry our own burdens alongside them, and to trust that God is ever-present in the messiness of life, provides comfort, strength, and hope to many of those around us.
During the Christmas season, as we ponder the manger scene, we come to the renewed realization that Jesus came on mission among us as a helpless baby. He was incapable of doing or accomplishing anything, yet his presence among us as a baby remains an extraordinary gift.
He is Emmanuel, God with us. His presence itself reassures us that God is among us and that he shares with us the burdens and joys of this world.
Like a frail and forgetful grandparent, a helpless baby reminds us that when we see others for who they truly are rather than what they can do, we catch a glimpse of Emmanuel, God's mysterious and consoling presence with us amid our world's messiness.
During the Christmas season, as we ponder the manger scene, we come to the renewed realization that Jesus came on mission among us as a helpless baby. He was incapable of doing or accomplishing anything, yet his presence among us as a baby remains an extraordinary gift.
Columban Fr Tim Mulroy, former Society Leader.
Listen to "The enduring impact of ministry"
Related links
- Read more from The Far East - November/December 2024
