Speaking about St. Christopher as I did in yesterday's posting, let me tell you about a present day version, a man also named Chris. Chris is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. He works at the local shelter for the homeless during the week; and on Sundays he takes Holy Communion to the people at the Boulder County Jail.
If you want to meet someone who lives St. Ignatius' 3rd degree of humility, then get to know Chris. He's street savvy. He'd have to be to work at the shelter and be able to relate as well as he does with people who have no home. Frequently enough Chris meets some of the same people when he goes to the jail on Sundays. Occasionally someone from the shelter or from the jail dies; and Chris is the one they ask to lead a service for the deceased.
Today was "Smokey's" turn to be laid to rest. How pleased I was that they had the service at our chapel in our parish center. It was a gathering of people whose lives have not been easy. Each of their faces tell a story that one can not even imagine; but pain and suffering are written into the lines of their faces. But they know that Chris cares for them and brings Christ to them. Chris led the service, a "Service of the Word." And by the end of it, Chris had them all praying the Lord's Prayer together. He's truly a "Christ-Bearer."
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