Homily for May 13, 2012: 6th Sunday of Easter

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Homily for May 13, 2012: 6th Sunday of Easter

 

 

May 12, 2012 By Deacon Greg Kandra 1 Comment

[Click here for readings.]

Last Saturday, the New York Times introduced the world to a couple named Michael and Ruth French – and introduced the world, as well, to a remarkable story of enduring love, a love that reflects in many ways the message of this Sunday’s gospel.

 

Their story began about a decade ago. That was when Ruth noticed that Michael’s personality was beginning to change. He became withdrawn and silent. He no longer spoke to Ruth over dinner. A meticulous record-keeper, he threw away tax documents. Ruth didn’t know what to do, and even considered a divorce. But then, in 2007, they learned he was suffering from something called frontotemporal dementia, a debilitating brain disease that is a little-known cousin of Alzheimer’s, but one that is even more devastating. It strikes younger people, progresses faster, and begins not by attacking memory, but by attacking the personality.

 

Michael French had been an engineer, a lecturer, and a marathon runner. Today, at the age of 71, he can no longer speak, read, write or walk.

 

But five years ago, after finally realizing what was happening and that it was beyond his control, Ruth French told her husband: “

 

“Whatever happens, we will go through this together. I will be there.”

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Read the whole thing.

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From Father Robert Barron on Wordonfire.org

 

 

Sermon 592 : Love Both Conditional and Unconditional : 6th Sunday of Easter