Editor’s note: I wrote this article in response to a letter sent to me by a fellow marriage minister just after returning from Rome almost two years ago. She wanted to know why such a common couple was chosen to attend the Synod. She didn’t think that my ordinary voice would provide anything to the Synod proceedings. But it did.
It’s not every day that you receive an envelope from Italy with the Vatican seal stamped on it. But that is exactly what happened one summer.
Not knowing what to expect, I broke the seal and began to read an official summons from Pope Francis to attend a meeting in Rome. I’m not sure what your reaction would be, but mine was one of confusion. “Could this be real?” I asked myself. Who do I know that will be able to verify this invitation? The only person that came to mind was my Bishop who I immediately called.
Bishop William Patrick Callahan verified the authenticity of the letter and the invitation. He assured me that we were the right persons to audit the proceedings of the meeting, and he was overjoyed that we had been chosen.
My gut began to churn
My joy was not as immediate as that of the Bishop. Instead of delight, my emotions turned to fear. In fact, my gut began to churn. Why in the world would God want us to be at such an important meeting? There must be some other couple on this earth who is better suited for this task. We’re just small town people; just an ordinary husband and wife who strive every day to walk a wee bit closer to God and do what He asks.
The saying that God doesn’t call the equipped but equips the called took on new meaning for me. I never imagined that God would call us to be part of the extraordinary Synod on the Family for nearly the full month of October.
What have we been given?
What gifts did God want us to bring to the Synod? Let’s begin with 30+ years of wedded joy, three children, a handful of granddaughters and experiences of grief and ecstasy, sacrifice, contentment, agony and peace. We knew what it felt like to lose a job, worry about an unbalance budget and discipline unruly kids. We also knew the struggle involved in self-mastery and the security of trusting one another. And we understood that even in the darkest moments, God is never far away.
We were also part of an extended family. We were children, siblings, cousins and an aunt and uncle. In these roles we knew what it meant to be a companion, a caregiver, and a counselor. We had experienced sickness and death. We knew the strength that comes when we band together as kin and the isolation of standing alone. We also knew what it meant to serve other families in need.
With over 20 years in marriage and family ministry we had been privileged to walk with countless people on their journey towards God. We had seen the love between the engaged and those married 50+ years. We had witnessed the misery that comes from divorce or the death of a loved one. We had observed the diligence of individuals who want to live chastely. We knew the dedication of lay ministers and clergy who wanted to reveal the truth of God’s plan for marriage and family life to the flock they served. We had been touched by servant leadership.
Our mission: to humbly obey!
Perhaps this is what God wanted us to bring to the Synod. Conceivably, He wanted our practical, life experience to season the proceedings. He wanted us to share what we knew to be true about marriage and family in practical, simple and convincing ways. I’m confident that this is why a common couple from Wisconsin was sent to Rome.
Be ready, you never know what God has in store for you tomorrow!
