153

 

The title of my homily is, “153”.

Peter died last December.  Cancer. December 15^th.

He and Rita had 33 years of a wonderful married  life together.

In fact that was their favorite movie. It’s A Wonderful Life.

But not last December. Death and the Corona Virus. Bummer.

They had 2 boys – gone and married – living on the West Coast – Seattle and Oregon – each with 2 kids – and a daughter – a lawyer -  married – one kid  in Miami.

So Rita was all alone for Christmas – last year.  It’s tough being alone.

Last night – Saturday evening -  she went to the 5:30 Mass. It was wonderful receiving communion again. She had found a good mass and preacher on TV – but she knew Mass in her home parish was better – even though Father Henry was not that great a preacher – and the TV guy was great.

The emptiness in the empty space next to her in church– was Grand Canyon Big.

That Sunday afternoon – May 1^st – was a  bright sunny day. Rita decided to get in her car and head for the Jersey Shore.

She had a nice walk on the boardwalk.

Then she sat down on the bench facing the ocean.

Couples were walking both the boardwalk and the sandy beach.

She was alone on a hard boardwalk bench.

She was looking out at the many tiny white fishing boats – wondering if they were catching anything – as well as some little kids and probably their dads with fishing rods – on the beach.

She opened up her pocketbook to get a hankerchief. She blew her nose. She was putting the while cloth hankerchief back in her pocketbook and spotted the small paperback missellette.

She took it out and began reading the readings for that Sunday – May 1sr. The priest – last night – said they were not that sure just what the 153 fish meant. It could have been the number of types of know fish they had in the world – back then in Jesus’ time – or it could be simply 153 large fish.

Father Henry had also said take out the Sunday readings during the week and pray with them. He added, “Come up with your own thoughts and imaginations for the readings.”

She closed the missalette and began thinking about the blessings of her life. She thought, “I’m sure I had at least 153 of them.”

First one – being Married to Peter for 33 years. We had our fights especially over his smoking – but we had mostly great times.

She remembered their 25^th anniversary and the cruise to Alaska. They stopped in and saw their two boys on the west coast – Seattle and Salem Oregon – and then off to Glaciers and Coves of Alaska.

She remembered the birth of their first grandchild – Max – and how she and Peter loved seeing him for the first time.

Wow. It’s a wonderful life.

The empty seat and space next to Rita felt filled and she laughed when she elbowed Peter – and said, “Great life. Hah?”

She thought for a moment. That’s 3 blessings we caught. 150 more to come.

Wow Peter wow.

Our boat is filled.

Thank You, Jesus.

Thank You.

 

Our boat is filled.

 

Thank You Jesus – thank You.

 

Amen.