This article is appearing in our parish bulletin this weekend, November 7, 2021
One of my favorite passages in Sacred Scripture is found in the letter to the Hebrews. In chapter 11, the writer (traditionally thought to be St. Paul) relates the stories of men and women of great faith who were forward looking, believing in God for the promise he had made to them. In verse 13 we read: “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”
What had they not received? The fullness of salvation that would come in the person of Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Holy Trinity. Christ did not come in their lifetime, but their lives and faith pointed ahead to what would be fulfilled for us. “And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect” (vv. 39–40).
Chapter 12 of Hebrews opens with these words: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (vv. 1–2).
When I was invited to join this parish to work in evangelization, I was aware of my need to look to Jesus, who endured the cross for the salvation of all humanity, and to join with the parishioners to share the Good News of our faith within our community. Charlotte and I asked a dear friend, Deborah Binder from our home parish in New Jersey, to pray for our decision. As Deborah prayed, she became our one of our biggest cheerleaders. She was certain that this was the next chapter God had for our lives, and that many lives would be impacted for Christ as we worked in concert with his great plan.
At the beginning of last month, we had the privilege to be with Deborah, and her heart was filled with joy as she heard answers to her prayers for Good Shepherd Parish in Madison, Wisconsin.
In four short weeks, Deborah Binder relocated in her role of cheerleader and intercessor. On Friday, October 29, she went to her eternal reward and has joined the great cloud of witnesses that surround us. May she rest in God’s eternal peace! And may we be faithful to take her place in the proclamation of the Gospel and cheer on those who will come after us!