At Mass this morning the priest in his homily mentioned a gift he received when he was first ordained.
An elderly woman had cross-stitched a small rectangle with the words "I AM THIRD". He asked her what she meant, and she explained that for a Christian God comes first, other people come second, and the person comes third. He noted that the theology she expressed was more profound than anything he could articulate, and it's a message he's tried to keep in mind in his priestly ministry.
That part of his homily has stuck with me all day.
As a dad and husband, the message made sense to me. I would always make sure my family's needs were met first. I would make sure they were served first at meals, for example. I would buy new shoes or clothing for my children before I would buy any for myself. I always tried to think of ways to make life easier for my wife, even if it meant sacrificing in some ways on my part. When watching television, for example, I might have wanted to watch a baseball game, but if there was something on she wanted to watch, we'd watch what she wanted and I wouldn't say anything. I once even turned down a good-paying job that would have taken me away for extended periods of time and kept me from being there for my children's school events, Scouts, and so on. Family came first.
But Father was right: The elderly woman's message was theologically more profound than just being a good dad.
God has to come first. Above job. Above sports. Above sleeping in on Sundays. Above ambition and compromising.
Then other people - family, but others as well - come next.
I've always tried to live that way but have failed at times. The homily was a good reminder.
Pax et bonum
