Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

I guess during my five years of dance classes in tap and ballet in the Adrienne Flegal School of Dance, I must have missed the one that said you could not tap dance on ice. On December 30, in my sister’s driveway, I slipped on the ice and broke my left wrist. My friends who are lawyers said this was a double whammy – the wrist was broken, but there is no one to sue. Over my protestations, my sister convinced me to go to the hospital to have it examined; the X-rays and the ER doctor confirmed the break. The splint and wrap immobilized my hand and increased its size by three times. Many would say that it is a befitting way to end 2020. But, in all things, even the struggles, God is always teaching us and making us aware of our limitations.

I am righthanded, so I did not give much consideration to my left hand. But, now I must do everything without the stabilization or the balance that comes from using two hands. Even now, I am typing this LOA with one or two fingers on my right hand and making all sorts of mistakes. This broken wrist has reminded me of the individuals that have graced my life as friends and suffered the limitations many take for granted.

Michael, a boyhood friend, after his time in the armed service, was thrown from his car and became a quadriplegic. He was paralyzed from the neck down with minimal use of his hands. He went on to receive a Ph.D. in history and taught at a City College in Chicago. Every day was a challenge for him and yet, there are many with far fewer challenges who curse their lot.

There was Bob who suffered from bone cancer. He pledged to God that he would go to Mass daily in his last days of life and, for more than 14 months, he got up every morning for Mass. He would have to wake up three hours before Mass because it took him over two and a half hours to shower and dress in pain and slowly drive to the Church where he spent some time in prayer before Mass. How many attend Mass without difficulty and never stop to thank God for the privilege of being present to celebrate the sacrifice of His Son?

There was Randy who was born with a partial left arm (no hand). The remarkable thing was that this limitation never stopped him from competing in sports or participating in any activity with his friends. Many forgot that he did not have a left hand because he often performed better than his friends. He never complained or sought special treatment.

We are all inconvenienced by this current pandemic. Some of us have even experienced the tragic loss of loved ones. We need to seek the consolation of our faith and turn to God in hope and trust. For those of faith, death does not end our relationship; “life is changed, not ended.” And, we give thanks for the faith that affirms the love we experience in this world which will never end in God. Never fail to express your love with those that surround you with simple words or gestures of affection.

Some have suffered attacks on their health. We often take for granted our health. How often do we thank God for the simple ability to experience another day? We have certainly been made aware of the sacrifices of our medical community, for their steadfast dedication to those who are sick. During this pandemic, let us be reminded to pray for those who are sick and care for them. Let us contact friends in nursing homes or assisted living by phone or emails, letting them know that they are not forgotten.

Indeed, this is not the way we have normally experienced our day-to-day life, but this pandemic allows us to appreciate being people of faith who have received gifts from God and our willingness to witness His love, despite our limitations and difficulties in the way we LOVE ONE ANOTHER. 

Note: This blog originally appeared as the January 5, 2021 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.