Preach the gospel, and if necessary use words. Francis of Assisi.

Last March we went on a cruise to the Southern Caribbean accompanying our elderly friend, Fr. John, who cannot travel alone due to his health issues.  The one thing he wanted to do on this trip was to get his feet wet in the ocean like he had done in years past. So, whatever it would take, we were going to make that happen for him.

When our ship docked at the island of Granada, a bus tour of the island finishing with a visit to the beach was offered. We left the ship and boarded the small, steamy bus to see the sights of the coast. When we arrived at the beach, we got him settled in his wheelchair under a shade tree near the edge of the sandy beach.

Later, I asked our tour guide to help us bring him down to the water. We must have been quite a spectacle; Earl and I holding Fr. John arm in arm slowly plodding over the sand to the water, and our guide following with a wheelchair.

As soon as we got him settled in his chair, another tourist from our ship walked over to Fr. John, shook his hand vigorously and said, “I hope you have the best time ever.  It is so great that you could come on this cruise.”

Shortly after that, an islander selling scarves on the beach broke out in loud praises in front of all the beach goers. “Praise the Lord!  This is the way we show our love to God and our neighbor!” He went on for a good five minutes with his lively sermon.

I will tell you, that of all the experiences of that trip including all the niceties and extravagances of ship travel, the joy of helping Fr. John get his feet wet was the most gratifying part of the trip.

I had not really realized until this beach excursion that our care for this elderly man with so many medical problems is what speaks so loudly of our faith in Jesus Christ.  We could never have said in mere words the love God has for us all.  It was best told through our actions to those watching.

Every time I think of this day, I repeat what the islander said, “Praise the Lord! This is the way we show our love to God and our neighbor!”