The Gift of Presence

ast week, I had the privilege of lending a hand at Mass at a local assisted living facility. It was the first time in over a year that the residents had the opportunity to receive Communion and hear the Word of God preached by a gentle, compassionate priest who I admire greatly.

Boy, did he know his audience! In his homily, he directly addressed the loneliness and isolation that these folks have experienced for the last year. He reminded them that even when no one was with them and they felt most alone, Jesus was still with them. He spoke of the friendship we have with Jesus and talked about what it means to be a friend to someone.

He spoke of love and sacrifice and listening: truly being present.

Our world is in a big, consumer driven hurry, where BEING PRESENT is rare, so when it happens, wow, is it a gift!

Our culture is so obsessed with youth. If we all had a dollar for every time we saw an ad that said, “Look 10 years younger!” we’d all be rich! Wrinkle creams, plastic surgery and diet fads are touted as the keys to the fountain of youth.

Why are we so insistent about not aging? I imagine the fear of death is part of it, but even more, it seems like there is something almost shameful about growing older in our society. But how terrifying would it be if we all remained permanent 20 year olds?

No offense against 20 year olds—I know some gems—but truly, I would not cast aside my 50 year old self in order to be 20 again. I like who I am now better than when I was 20. I have a better grasp of what really matters in life. I like to think that I have gleaned some wisdom along the way, and I hope that wisdom expands and deepens in the years ahead.

People who have lived longer than us have much to share. They offer an insight that we can only imagine, because we didn’t live through things like the Great Depression and World War II. I am in awe of how hard my grandparents worked; how they scrimped and saved for everything and cherished every blessing along the way. I don’t think it took much to make them happy, whereas these days, it seems like my generation and younger can never have enough: always looking to the next thing around the bend to make them happy.

There’s a lot happening for all of us right now. The last 14 months have worn us all out, and it is incredibly tempting to close in on ourselves and keep the focus there. But what’s more important is this: DON’T FORGET PEOPLE! Especially older people. They need to know they still matter.

It’s interesting: when I first started going to this facility to pray the Rosary with residents, bring Communion, and now, assist at Mass, I was probably a little inflated by the thought of, “Look what I’m doing for them.” Yay me!

What I have since come away with is that they are a gift to me. Gosh, do they shower their love and appreciation on me. They’re so excited to tell me their stories. They are overwhelmed by the emotion of receiving Communion after having gone over a year without. They take nothing for granted and appreciate every single little thing.

I thought I was helping them, but instead, they are transforming me.

There is so much loneliness in the world today: now more than ever. Don’t let that become acceptable. Don’t make that the norm.

As Mother Teresa says, don’t be content to be a mere spectator, passing by and doing nothing.

Give the gift of your presence.