Listen to the story:
By Elise Gower
During my childhood, my dad delivered the town newspaper. His 4 a.m. responsibility moved him through the streets of our small neighbourhood well before others’ days began. We’d arise as he was returning; it was just “what Dad did”; something ordinary. Saturdays, however, were a special day. I’d get up with him in the darkness, bag each paper, and climb into the trunk of our Ford Escort for ease of hopping out — Dad’s way of creating an adventure. It was extraordinary.
As an adult, what is even more extraordinary is the love with which Dad did this job. Each stop, he would name the person to whom we were delivering. More often than not, he would enter the person’s home and hand the paper directly to them. On numerous occasions, he’d pour coffee for an older person or prompt me to ask if they needed anything. Never were we allowed to haphazardly throw the newspaper on someone’s porch. These were our neighbours. I recollect these memories as my earliest encounter with St. Ignatius’ prayer, “to give and not to count the cost.” A first glimpse of being “Christ-like.”
Ordinary Time
Our liturgical calendar brings us to Ordinary Time where we explore more deeply the life of Christ and our call to live the Gospel’s values. I’d argue that to imitate Jesus seems far from ordinary; and yet the ordinary in his humanity, something tangible to us, is how we can relate. Still, becoming Christ-like can seem unattainable, until we encounter examples in our midst.
Fr. Rob Brennan, SJ, emulated Christ as teacher, mentor, friend, coach and pastor. As I learned about his life, vivid imagery from the Gospels emerged. In the classroom where he joyfully accompanied students in their learning, I can hear Jesus saying, “Let the children come to me.” On the field, where he coached teams and created a spirit of mutuality and empowerment, I envision Jesus calling his disciples, inviting each person’s unique talents. In his offices, as chaplain and president, where he encountered students, colleagues and families in both joy and suffering, I can feel Jesus open and available to the needs presented. In Fr. Brennan’s humour and intellect, I imagine Jesus teaching through parables. In his ministries across various communities — L’Arche, leprosy, Alcoholics Anonymous and Indigenous — I see Christ healing, loving and breaking boundaries.
In his ministries across various communities — L’Arche, leprosy, Alcoholics Anonymous and Indigenous — I see Christ healing, loving and breaking boundaries.
In an interview with students, Fr. Brennan was asked about the impact of the Society of Jesus. I delighted in what he said after identifying some “well-known” Jesuits. “Those are just the ones whose names made history books. There are lots of Jesuits whose names didn’t make history books, but who probably did a whole lot of great work for people in parishes, schools. Students who look upon their education as a gift and upon their teachers as people who did something really great for them.” I’m pretty sure Fr. Brennan was relishing Christ in our midst. This is exactly how others would describe him.
“What Can I Do for You?”
People recount Fr. Brennan’s consistent and generous availability to others. Fr. Len Altilia, SJ, describes him as a pastor in every sense. He showed up and cared for people at every sacramental stage — baptism, reconciliation, Eucharist, marriage, anointing of the dying — and in the moments in between that he blessed. As I listened to and read people’s stories about Fr. Brennan, the most palpable gift in these moments was that he always showed up.
People recount Fr. Brennan’s consistent and generous availability to others. Fr. Len Altilia, SJ, describes him as a pastor in every sense.
In the reading of the Lord’s Passion on Palm Sunday, we hear the crowds shift from proclaiming, “Hosanna” to “Crucify him.” There, in our most human vulnerability and brokenness, Jesus showed up. Fr. Altilia recalls that Fr. Brennan’s vulnerabilities “opened his heart more widely to the sufferings of others.” Christ’s suffering leads to resurrection — new life. In Romans 6:4, we are reminded of our baptismal call to die and rise with Christ. We are invited into new life as we explore Christ in ordinary time. And, in ordinary people like Fr. Brennan.
As we page through the Gospels, “do unto others,” surfaces over and over. Consider all the people who sought Jesus. I imagine his response and align it with one Fr. Altilia attributes to Fr. Brennan’s lived charism, “What can I do for you?”
Fr. Brennan’s words capture our extraordinary call to community. “Caring and compassion can hurt. … But when you demonstrate care and compassion, not only are you doing something special, you’re becoming something special.”
Christ’s Way
Fr. Brennan shared with students: “When I look back and I see all the places I’ve worked, all the people I’ve known, all the things I’ve managed to do … I’ve pretty well emptied the [vocational] bucket.” He was deeply aware of his journey towards Christ. A journey travelled for and with others. He reflected on a vision of a hope-filled future at Loyola High School in Montreal where he dedicated nearly four decades. Recounting a shared call to mission, he noted, “It’s important stuff, and we do it in a really ordinary way.”
Who are the ordinary people in your life who emulate Christ? Where are the ordinary moments you are called to emulate Christ?
Loyola High School
Founded in 1896, Loyola High School provides a Jesuit, Catholic education, forming students to be intellectually competent, religious, loving and committed to promoting justice. Loyola High School accompanies young people of all backgrounds, beliefs and traditions to cultivate their unique talents, nurturing a sense of compassion for others and active participation in the community.
