Ruthann Fisher, a pastoral associate in Kitchener, used an unpaid leave of absence and a bursary award from the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada to participate in a “ministry to ministers” program at the School of Theology in San Antonio. Near the end of her sabbatical, she went to a structure on the campus which depicts the last supper and sat at this huge marble table surrounded by twelve chairs, one of them occupied by a statue of Jesus breaking bread. While Ruthann was reflecting and writing, a man she had passed sleeping on a bench an hour earlier joined her as she sat at this table of the Lord. Ruthann recounts their conversation.
Visitor: “Are you writing?”
Ruthann: “Yes. Would you like to sit down? I can go if you want?”
V: “No. Stay.”
R: “Would you like the apple?” (One had been placed on the plate in front of Jesus.)
V: “Yours?”
R: “No. I did not put it there, but I am sure Jesus would not mind if you ate it.”
(He smiled then and sat beside Jesus, looking at me.)
V: “God is for you and for me.”
R: “Yes.”
V: “Jesus waits for us in the Kingdom.”
R: “Yes, he does.”
V: “You are a beautiful daughter of God.”
R: “Thank you.”
V: “We are all part of God, this beautiful place, everyone, every creature.”
R: “Yes.”
V: “You live here?”
R: “For a few months.”
V: “I like it here very much. Jesus gives us food and water without hands, with no feet, with just . . . .” (He pointed at his chest and I say “heart”. He replied in Spanish a word I was not sure of and so I said “Soul?”)
V: “Yes, Jesus waits for our soul. What do you write?”
R: “I write for people like you and like me who work for Jesus. Like all of us. He gives us food and water.”
V “You listen.”
R: “I listen to Jesus; then I write.”
V: “You have the word.” (I asked him where he was from and he said Guadalajara (a location in Mexico). I told him I hoped his family was OK after the hurricane.)
V: “Jesus saved the poor people from the hurricane. The wind died before it came to the poor people. Jesus gave us his mother when he was on the cross. ‘This is your mother.’”
R: “She is the mother of us all.”
V: “We are in heaven here.”
R: “I believe we are in a bit of heaven here.”
V: “You are nice. You listen.” (He jumped up and began to run away, calling to me: “God bless you.” He was very happy when he left. I called after him: “God bless you too.” I think I had a visit with God today.)
Ruthann continued. So this then was my Sabbatical. I am still trying to keep hold of all I have learned about holistic living and taking care of my body, mind, and spirit for all the work that I do for and with God. This is still a challenge to balance my time, with the parish demands as well as my home life where I care for a 92 year old mom and a disabled sister. I am and was so very grateful that I was able to take the break I needed for me.
Guest Blogger: Ruthann Fisher