The priest always sits next to the grandma at wedding receptions. As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, I will be seated next to grandma. I love this arrangement! First, we are usually one of the first to eat. Second, I get to meet everyone as they come and greet grandma. Finally, and this insight is new, I learn a little more about who God is when I’m seated next to a grandma. I’ll explain.
A few weeks ago I celebrated a wedding for a young couple. During the reception, I was seated next to the groom’s grandma. Even though we are not related, she affectionately calls me her grandson. During the parade of family and friends, she would say, “Come and meet my grandson, Fr. Joe!” As the evening went on, she started to change the introduction. By the end, our relationship had grown because she now referred to me as her son, “Come and meet my son, Fr. Joe!”
During our continued celebration of the Easter Season, we encounter the early Church’s realization of who Jesus is and who we are. When describing us, we hear from Scripture that we are sons and daughters of God, “Dear friends, now we are children of God” (1 John 3:2). In my prayer life, I rarely reflected on being a son of God until I sat next to grandma at this wedding. I now have this new image of our God introducing me as His son. Imagine, when God introduces us God says, “Come and meet My son! Come and meet My daughter!” Our God can’t wait to call us His beloved son or daughter.
If we are ever at a wedding together, you know where to find me… The things I learn from grandmas.
May God be Praised!
Fr. Joe Newman, OSFS
Provincial
Toledo-Detroit Province
