Welcoming the Stranger
Today’s Readings
Last Thursday night I attended a memorial service for one of my youngest son’s friends. Sawyer and Sudi Varadan became friends while at John Carroll Catholic High School. Last summer Sudi suffered a brain aneurism and was declared brain dead. His parents left their home in Malaysia and got to Birmingham as soon as possible.
His friends began keeping vigil at the hospital. Sister Mary Patrick, who teaches at John Carroll was there almost every day. Some of the students asked Sister what would happen to Sudi if he died? Should he be baptized? You see Sudi was a practicing Hindu.
As days turned into weeks, his parents refused to give up hope. Sudi’s mom told Sister, “We don’t care which God you pray to, just pray.” Eventually his parents were able to have Sudi transported back to Malaysia, where he remained on life support until a few weeks ago, when his body could go on no longer.
At the memorial service Sister Mary Patrick addressed the questions about Sudi’s faith. She told the group who had gathered not to worry, Sudi had been a wonderful, kind, caring human being and that he was a beloved child of God. She believed that we would all see Sudi again when we were called home. It was a moving moment of acceptance and grace.
One of the students spoke about how unlikely it must have seemed that two people so different, different faiths, cultures, languages could become such good friends, brothers with different mothers. In today’s reading from Isaiah, the prophet describes a time when differences will fall away and those who are completely different, creatures considered so different they could never be allies, will live in peace with one another. What I witnessed among those students was a spirit that united them as one gathered body of Christ, all God’s children. Their faith spoke volumes of their desire to live in peace, to show hospitality to the stranger, to love first, and discuss differences later.
Jesus came to testify to a truth greater than any man had ever spoken, to complete the works of God the Father. He came so that we might know the infinite love and healing presence of God. He brought a light that illuminates the darkest of nights and the most difficult situations so that we might know the power of hope. Those young people held the light of hope for Sudi’s parents, and for one another. As we approach the end of Advent and the glory of the incarnation, I pray that we might each carry the light of Christ into the dark, a torch of hope for all to see.
Questions for Reflection: How might you welcome the stranger? Can you think of someone you can reach out to, spreading the light of hope?