After Mass today at St. Thecla, a senior priest, Fr. Bill Sinatra, who has such a peaceful presence said to me with a very gracious smile: "Have a Wonderful Life!"
He and I were talking about that movie starring James Steward back in the 1940's; and Fr Bill was really being humorous and kind at the same time by saying to me: "Have a Wonderful Life!" For some reason, his words actually caused a joy in me as well as his peaceful presence to say with me all day. What a spirit this priest has.....like vintage wine.....mellow and rich in precious wisdom. Priests do not grow old. They just become better and better like good wine. And when Jesus made water into wine, the guests said to the master steward: "You have saved the best wine till last." Those are perfect words to describe this loving priest who has spent his whole life giving Jesus to others in Word and Sacraments. He has fed God's people and has now perfect peace - having spent himself and giving himself fully to the people of God. Like St. Paul, he can say: "I long to be with the Lord...and a crown awaits me.."
The film: "It's a Wonderful Life" did not do as well at the box office as contemporary films such as: "The Bells of St. Mary" and "Going My Way" starring Being Crosby. But nonetheless, "It's a Wonderful Life has been reaching more audiences now then when it first came out.
On the Johnny Carson Show, James Steward was asked this question by Johnny: "What was the most memorable picture or most memorable scene that made the most impression on your life?" James Steward with his natural drawl said the following: "What was the most memorable thing that happened to me in my movie career was a letter I received from a man who was going to commit suicide. He had made up his mind to jump off a bridge and was on his way to do so when he happened to pass a store with several TV's going on at the same time on the same channel. What was being shown on these TV's was a scene in "It's a
Wonderful Life" where I was going to kill myself by jumping over a bridge into the cold water. Seeing that I was going to do what he was planning to do at that moment, he stopped to see how I would handle it. He ended up watching the whole movie and then went home. He told me in his letter that I had saved his life. Now that was the most important thing I ever did in my whole career!"
James Stewart and Father Sinatra both had a peace and joy about them - they both radiated peace and joy. And these two fruits of the Holy Spirit are ours today, too. If we like this actor and priest use our gifts from the Holy Spirit and do all for God's glory, we will, too, have these two fruits predominant in our life: joy and peace - even if we face trials and temptation. The Holy Spirit can just fill our moments with God's joyful and peaceful presence. Jesus even said: "My peace I leave with you.....and I have come that you may have joy and have it more abundantly." To have Jesus' joy and peace because he lives in us is an awesome gift. Then we should ask God to help us as much as possible to carry out the 7 corporal and 7 spiritual works of mercy - as much as our state in life allows - so that our peace and joy will overflow unto the people of God. Mother Teresa was our greatest model in our times for practicing these works of mercy. Fr. Sinatra uses his gifts of teaching to bring so many to a closer walk with Jesus. We must use our gifts and be Christ to others. Because of Bishop Sheens preaching he received letters of gratitude from 52, 000 people who were converted to Christ because of his diligence in speaking. He spent up to 6 hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament in preparing for a TV broadcast. He radiated Christ. So, can we!
Coming back to what this senior priest told me: "Have a wonderful life", I am having a most wonderful life and have never been happier in my life than now. It has been a wonderful life and will be until my life becomes even more wonderful in heaven. My last day here and last hour and last moment will be like a diving board springing me into heaven. I will not miss a beat of life...not now..not then...because between a my last great moment here on earth and my first great moment in heaven, there will not be a second that I will not be fully alive. I will jump into heaven with a great shout of joy and praise of God! I will jump into the waiting arms of God the Father who has been holding me all the while here but then I will feel His arms around me.
The birds and animals do not worry...never worry about their last day...because they do not know of death.
We should be like them..because we will never have a second of our existence that we are not alive. Heaven is just an extension of our life here but infinitely more beautiful. God's Beauty - the Beatific Vision - will fill us with a joy beyond our imagination. Both NOW and THEN, "IT IS A WONDERFUL LIFE!!" So, you, too, "Have a Wonderful Life!" Amen!
Love, Pio
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