This past week, July 9 marked the anniversary of the passing of Fr. Thomas Tifft who served as the President-Rector of St. Mary Seminary in Cleveland. I had the privilege of being led by him for 3 years. He was a humble leader who loved history. He taught Church history with zeal and passion. That history-loving mind made him great at remembering so many facts about everyone. I couldn’t believe all the specific things he remembered about my siblings when they would come to the seminary. I pray for that gift every day!
He lived down the hall from me. Every once in a while, he would walk down and say hello. Whenever he saw me in distress at my desk studying, he would remind me that “the wood of the desk is the wood of the cross.” That phrase has stuck with me to this day. After his death in 2012, I was inspired to paint an image of Jesus embracing the cross, but at the same time He looks like someone with his head down on the desk, worn out from desk work or studying. Sometimes, even places like the desk can be places of love and sacrifice for others. If you come into my office you will see that painting. You will also see the corpus of Christ not on a cross, but laying on the desk.
At the cross, Christ poured out his life and love for us so that we might live. He gave it all. In the Gospel this weekend, we hear Jesus say that we are called to love with all our heart, mind and soul and love your neighbor as yourself. Then the scholar asks Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Who are the people in your life that need that type of love? How are we to love them? With love poured out. How can you sacrifice for them that they might live and have life abundantly? Is it sacrificing that Reese’s Cup for someone after lunch? Is it answering emails or working on paperwork with someone in mind? Offer your life as a sacrifice for others. Live a life poured out for others and they will be blessed indeed!
May God help you live a life for others,
Fr. Jeremy
PS Next weekend, help us welcome Fr. Fortunatus Mugisha of the Diocese of Kabale in Uganda! He will be joining us for Mass and making an appeal for the support of his home Diocese.
