A lawyer calls his house and a little boy answers. The Lord says, “Can I speak to your mommy?” The little boy whispers, “No, my mommy’s busy.” l say, “Anybody else in the house?” “Yes.” “May I talk to… who is that?” “My father.” “Can I speak to your father?” “No my father’s a busy lawyer.” “Anybody else in the house?” “Yes,” the little boy whispers, “the police department.” And the Lord says, “Can I speak to a police officer?” The little boy whispers, “No they’re all busy too.” Lord says, “Anybody else in the house? “Yes,” the little boy whispers, “the fire department.” The Lord says, “Can I speak to a firefighter?” The little boy whispers, “They’re all busy.”  “Let me get this straight. Your mommy, daddy, police department, and fire department are all at the house busy. What are they doing?” The little boy whispers, “They’re looking for me!”

I like that joke. What are we looking for in life? What are we looking for in life? During my first year in the College Seminary at Nile’s College Seminary of Loyola University I used to visit a man by the name of Tom in his home every Friday afternoon. The year was 1972. What made Tom was unique was that Tom was 102 years old. I would visit Tom, bring Holy Communion, I would talk with him he had terrific hearing. He told me one story after another about his young days. He had difficulty walking so I would carry him from the second floor of his home into his living room down 13 steps. This Friday routine was very predictable. I carefully picked Tom up and slowly carry him down 13 stairs second floor to the first floor about two or three steps from the top Tom would grab onto the banister with his hands. I say Tom what are you doing and Tom would say you’re going to drop me. I said Tom I’m very strong I won’t drop you. You’re going to drop me I can’t let go. I said Tom I’m going to count to three. I get the three if you don’t let go I’m going to drop you. One two, Tom would let go I’d walk down about four or five more steps he’d grab onto the banister again. Tom what are you doing? He says you’re going to drop me I say Tom I’m not going to drop you. I say Tom if you don’t let go and the count of three I’m going to drop you. One two three, he’d let go on one such occasion the thought hit me that the exchange between us must be something like the exchange between the Lord and me at time were times in my life I keep grabbing and holding onto the security banisters that make me feel safe. My inability to trust the need to be in control life on my terms I know that the Lord clearly asks of me let go. I hear myself saying Lord I can’t I’m afraid you’re going to drop me I’m frightened by the prospect of open hands and making myself vulnerable what will happen to me if I truly let go and trust in the Lord. I know the Lord must smile upon me as I once smiled upon Tom. Jesus who holds us and loves us is both a comfort and a challenge in today’s second reading we are challenged to let go of all bitterness passion anger harsh words slander and Malice of every kind in place put on compassion. Be mutual forgiving be kind to one another just as God has forgiven us in Christ. I don’t have a handle on God but rather God has a handle on us. If we let go and trust him the Lord is always with us don’t let our security banisters get in our own way.