MY CLAIRVOYANT FRIEND

I used to be oblivious to the fleet of FedEx trucks that flitted about our neighborhood like bees looking for flower gardens. We don’t have a flower garden. However, over the past year or so, the appearance of a white FedEx van at the end of our driveway has become a bimonthly occurrence.

Deliveries of books from former student Mark Quigg, once a novel experience (sorry about that) are now as predictable and welcome as a visit from my bridge buddies. Mark’s generous and thoughtful gifts are touching reminders of the sustaining power of a friendship.

The first of the books Mark sent was entitled The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life by James Martin SJ, a book that explains how Jesuit founder St. Ignatius of Loyola helps people with practical spirituality. It was an extremely informative read for someone like me who thought he knew something about Jesuits.

The second was a fun book by the same author entitled Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life. Father Martin looks at the connection and relationship between humour, joy, and faith.

Next on Mark’s reading list for me was My Life with the Saints, a memoir by Father Martin chronicling the lives of some (very human) Catholic saints including Saint Francis of Assisi and how they touched and guided the author’s life.

I was beginning to think that Mark was head of the James Martin fan club when he tricked me into a heavy read by author George Weigel called Evangelical Catholicism. Unlike earlier books, this one jangled my nerves especially when it suggested that the Jesuit order be disbanded because of their involvement in social justice issues and their infidelity to the teaching authority of the Church. How ironic that a Jesuit pope was elected two days after I finished reading the book.

A new book arrived this morning. This one is called The Sun & Moon over Assissi by Gerard Thomas Straub. The jacket cover explains how the lives of two medieval saints from Assisi (St. Francis and St. Clare) helped to transform the life of a thoroughly modern cynic from Los Angeles, California. It looks like another fascinating read.

Again, thank you for your kindness Mark. The fact that you’ve chosen books whose themes are related to the Jesuits and Saint Francis of Assisi is somewhat incredible in the light of recent happenings at the Vatican.

Too bad clairvoyance wasn’t one of the categories when you appeared on Jeopardy years ago.