We must have stood and watched for 15 minutes. Every few seconds, another group went sliding by, smiling and laughing. We were at the Holiday World theme park at Santa Claus, Ind., inside the water park. We were standing in an overlook area, built especially for the purpose of being able to do what we were doing – which was to watch the people come sliding down and around in a gigantic bowl of water. We had just completed our own ride, but before we went away to sample some of the many other rides and features of the park, we climbed up to the observation area to see what we could see. We listened to the screaming as the sliders came down a long, enclosed tube, building up speed down an incline as they emerged out of the dark into the open basin. They came in groups of two or three or four on a big inflated rubber raft, legs piled up in the center, hands gripping tightly, heads held back, shouting and laughing. The ones who went fast enough could travel twice around the bowl before making the final plunge into the center and on to the end of the ride. The ones who traveled more slowly slipped into the center after only one circuit. Whether once or twice, though, the laughter did not seem to be diminished. As a matter of fact, the only person I remember seeing not laughing was one single rider, quiet and lonely on the raft that was designed for four. I concluded that it is fun to be with other people who are having fun. That is a pretty simple conclusion to draw, but then, I wonder, why is it so hard to apply that simple truth to other areas of life in society today? What leads me to that question is a report by Catholic News Service about the comments of Jean Vanier, the Canadian founder of communities for people with developmental disabilities. He said the poor and the marginalized are crying out, not just for generosity, but for love and relationships. Vanier is the founder of the International Federation of L'Arche Communities and author of books on compassion and human fragility. He was a speaker at the 49th International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec City June 16. According to the Catholic News Service report, Vanier said that Christians are called to be like Jesus, with their hearts open to all the poor and disadvantaged. But opening up to a relationship with the marginalized is frightening, he said, because doing so will destroy the walls that separate people and fill in the gap that separates the rich and poor. "In our world there is a lot of generosity," but there must be relationships and love, he said, adding that "to be like Jesus, we have to be able to wash the feet of one another."
* * * What all of this leads me to understand is that it is not only important to be a joyful giver, but it is important to give joy. Money is not enough. Even time with another may not be enough. What the poor and the vulnerable need is the ability to laugh out loud in the presence of another, not in the tunnels that can close us in, but out in the open for all to see. I once proposed that there should be an addition to the standard list of works of mercy; adding to such actions as giving food to the hungry and shelter to the homeless, there should be “Provide transportation for those who need to go somewhere.” Maybe bringing a smile to the poor and laughter to the lonely is another work worthy of defining what it means to be a Christian.
* * * Take the time to be generous with what you have – your ideas, your skills, the good things you have gained. Then give of what you are. That’s what will truly make a difference.
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