Im re-posting something from what I wrote a few days ago about how much Paul affected us -- really, how he has changed our lives forever. If you want a small sense of why this man meant so much to so many people, and to me in particular, see below. In so many ways, God has blessed us through our brother Paul. My heart is sad, but so full of wonder and gratitude for his life and friendship! Show diligence, so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promise. (Heb 6) ------------------ Paul played a particular role as a leader among my close friends. Our years at college were marked by frequent occasions to take time to travel and share -- for lack of a better word -- adventures together. Whether it was as simple as running costumed into the library during exam periods carrying canoes and marine equipment bringing a much need dose of levity, as dangerous as jumping off of cliffs into shale escarpments so as to slide dozens of feet unto a tumbled mess, as awesome as camping on top of a mountain in Ireland in the middle of winter without much gear or any food in order to witness the greatest sunrise ever, as mischievous as leaping upon Clydesdales surprisingly discovered upon a hiking trip only to be comically bucked off, or as disconcerting as frying up roadkill during a camp-out with glee, Paul seemed to always be at the point of initiating a characteristic reckless endeavor or death-defying adventure, and always with joy, vivaciousness, and fraternal encouragement. Our adventures with Paul, if at times imprudent, would always be ordered toward greater joy, gratitude, fraternal love, and ultimately wonder. Its so easy to let life pass you by because of fear; its very easy to let a natural reticence keep you from taking risks, from showing love, and seizing the moment. Talking with a close friend a few nights ago, we both reflected how much Paul helped us household brothers in college to gain a kind of courage and holy recklessness, a readiness to see the opportunities for levity, for childlike joy, for wonder, and not hesitate. And even more, Paul taught us that these qualities and experiences are really best when they are shared, that it is better to give than just receive joy, that the best kind of recklessness is a reckless desire to love and serve others. Even now as a deacon, I can think of how, over the years of formation in seminary, in so many ways I have been able to take risks, to be bold and strike against fear, to leap those natural boundaries of cool reticence that can keep us isolated from others, to claim joy, and by enthusiasm and self-forgetfulness, help my brothers accept and be grateful for our humanity -- all these things, because Paul was such a leader and taught us to live in such a way. And I know these virtues which Paul showed me and taught me over the years will make me a better priest. Paul taught us to seize life; and in his last days he continued to teach us how to receive suffering with trust in God, even with joy. The meaning of life is to make a total gift of oneself to others, and so share in Christs gift of himself to the world. Paul has shown me how to give of oneself totally, joyfully; I dont know if anyone has taught it to me better by example.
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 21:16:18 +0000
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