Reach Out and Touch

I had two encounters with alumni this week. One encounter took place through a letter I received; the other through the St. Thomas More Lecture in Rehm Library presented by Sheila Cavanaugh, Class of 1981. The letter brought me desolation. The talk consoled me. I would like to connect these two encounters to the story of Jesus and the leper.

A few weeks ago at the request of the Development Office, I wrote a letter to all the alumni. Some people chose to respond to my letter. One gentleman, once a major benefactor, took great care to write to me and tell me why he no longer supports Holy Cross. He believes Holy Cross went "off the rails" in 1994. He was critical of the Chaplains' office. He made an incorrect statement about one of my colleagues. He regretted that the College has allowed Allies and ABiGaLe on campus. He wrote that it was obscene that the College allowed "The Vagina Monologues" to be performed on Ash Wednesday a few years ago. He condemned some of the speakers that have appeared. He wrote that Holy Cross is no longer Catholic, barely Jesuit and "Holy" is inappropriate to its name. He can no longer support the institution.

Holy Cross, as an institution has its sins and sores. Like the Pharisees and those who followed the Levitical code, this alumnus can no longer touch the place. It is unclean in his eyes.

Sheila Cavanaugh, in her St. Thomas More Lecture, offered four guideposts to the audience about weaving her life, her faith, her career, and her family into an integrated whole. Sheila suggested first, "Leave your comfort zone." Sheila grew up in Worcester. Her first job after graduation was at the Worcester Knitting Mills. She stayed close to home because it was the only job Sheila could find. Then Sheila got a management training job in New York. Eventually, she applied for a scholarship to live abroad and spent a year in Singapore. Once on an outing to an Indonesian island she met her future husband. Sheila has lived and worked in Latvia, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Every time she has stepped out of her comfort zone she has learned and grown. The second guidepost she offered the audience was "Choose your attitude." We can get better or we get bitter. We need to choose the attitude we take toward life. If you meet with crises, disappointments, and disillusionment choose a positive attitude to navigate the difficulties and the losses of life. The third guidepost from Sheila was "Engage the world in a conspiracy of love." Do not be afraid of reaching out to the stranger. Make friends with people. See things from their point of view. You may learn a few things and grow in the process. The final guidepost was "If at first you don't succeed, persist." Never give up. Keep trying. Don't let discouragement get in the way. Sheila is grateful for all she learned at Holy Cross, for the people who touched her on the way, and the people who taught her how to learn.

If a leper came to the first alumnus, he would back away because the leper is unclean. He would strictly follow the rules and have nothing to do with the person. If Sheila encountered the leper she would reach out to him, make friends with him, and lead him to a place where he might get the necessary help. Sheila is like Jesus who broke the taboo and touched the leper violating his religious code. Jesus offered his healing hand and met the leper's faith and the encounter was transformative.

In some way each of us is the leper. Each of us is a sinner and though our sores and wounds may be invisible they are corrupting nonetheless. Holy Cross has its own wounds, its own need for healing and reformation. Jesus wants to reach out and touch us in our need. Jesus calls each member of the community to do its part to make this college a shining example and a city on a hill. Jesus says, "I do will it. Be made clean." But Jesus does not offer words alone. Jesus touches the leper. Jesus breaks a taboo. Jesus does not hold back. Jesus is not only a powerful healer but a compassionate uniter.

Each of us has a part to play. Each of us has a role to fulfill. Each of us has a contribution to make. We are called to give our time, our talent, and our treasure. If we are not happy with a situation in our church or in our college it is important to reach out and make a difference.

Jesus broke a taboo and reached out and touched the leper. The leper who was unclean and full of sores was still a person of faith. I believe Holy Cross may have its wounds and sores too but it is still a place of faith reaching out to God and the wider community for healing and help.