Never too late to rest in peace

I met John 15 years ago at the Mayo Clinic.  He had lung cancer and had just been given 3 months to live.  A priest walked in and John began to make a public confession to all present. The main issue was his bitter resentment toward his mother who had “walked out” on the family when he was child. There had been no contact for years, and he did not know where she was.

 Toward the end of his life review, the phone rang.   It was his mother.  During the long reconciling conversation that followed, I left. I felt like I had been in a spiritual washing machine. John returned home and began chemo. After a 15-year life extension, he died two weeks ago.  Rest in peace, John.

This post is a contribution from a member of the Blessed Sacrament E Team.