At least I don’t have to teach today. Instead I’m supervising/babysitting. The NET team runs freshmen retreat, which means I coordinate transportation, serve the meal, and find any items they might need. Not the most glamorous job, but necessary. And it gets me out of teaching.
Cue Jesuit novice. Matt walks in with the principal and introduces himself with a warm handshake. Genuine joy radiates from him. I notice it particularly when talking about our affiliation with the Society of Jesus. The principal leaves and I orient Matt to the retreat and tour him through the building. Next on the agenda: serve lasagna to 80 freshmen. Amidst bringing lasagnas from the oven to the counter and refilling salad bowls, I hear Matt interacting with the students. A simple action: putting salad on their plates. Yet, he uses that as an opportunity to meet each student; to show them he cares and is excited to be with them. Oh if every teacher were this way, how different our education would be.
After cleaning up lunch, we have several hours to kill. I’m preparing for a belabored afternoon of small talk, but Matt cuts right to the chase and asks “So, what’s your story?” The sincerity in his voice surprises me. He genuinely wants to know who I am. My response shocks me even more. I give him my autobiography, everything from my family to college to spiritual discernment, and he reciprocates. I have not known this man more than four hours and we have shared almost everything about ourselves with each other. Must be a Jesuit connection :)
I went home raving about our conversation. I felt affirmed and uplifted. My soul had been found and spirit restored. I was ready to tackle Bishop Ward once again.
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