In 2006 I left ministry as a Roman Catholic priest to decide upon my future. I got permission to do a year at L’Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill, ON living with the developmentally disabled as a personal care worker. I was in turmoil not able to see where my future was. I went to live at Centre Street at Daybreak and helped three of the guys with their daily personal routines. One of the guys was Michael Ricci seated above. He was almost totally without his vision. He was amazing to watch how he got around the house remembering a path. But when it came time to leave the house he needed my arm. I would explain the steps, the pathway to the house, any steps up on curbs etc. I would often speak about the sights describing them in colorful details to help him picture them.
But little did I know how important Michael would become to me in my own spiritual journey out of priesthood. Michael helped me in that transition of not seeing what was coming next. I had to trust those around me, to let them guide my heart, my footsteps. I had to be open to a path I could not see spiritually. Michael and I were not much different. We both had to trust in those moments of a lack of vision ahead. Paul a friend of mine from back in the parish in NB said “You are Jeff becoming more Jeff”. That time at L’Arche among people very vulnerable with disabilities of varying kinds was an unexpected gift of inner spiritual sight. Michael and other members of that community helped me to “see” my way forward.
What way forward do we need to “see” in our life today? What unexpected guide will allow us to take their arm and guide us forward. And so as we start this day I pray…
O Holy One,
You call us to see you but life can get in the way of our inner vision.
May we find courage this day to open our eyes
to find our path forward to you, to inner peace and freedom.
We ask this with hearts ever seeking you. Amen!
