The richest man in the world
As we spoke (mostly he spoke and I listened) it became abundantly clear where his true wealth could be found. At 60 years of age, married for 38 years, the father of six children, and fifteen grandchildren, he spoke of the richness and depth of the faith that his family had living in today’s secular world. He spoke proudly of the fact that all his children were actively and enthusiastically Catholic and how amazed he was that it was so. Extremely intelligent, with a quick wit and an agile mind, he would not admit that their faith was in any way a product of his own devotion.
While he was in obvious pain, he spoke only of his many blessings that God had bestowed on him, how he had been given the opportunity to help found John Paul II The Great University, his many years devoted to Marriage Encounter, of the countless people that had enriched his life just by knowing them.
He said that he was not afraid of death; the only concern he voiced was for his wife, who has been his partner for their entire adult lives. He wondered whether she was prepared for the impending separation. I got the sense that he was going to miss her greatly. They have been involved with Marriage Encounter for nearly 30 years and from that they have learned to dialog with each other every day, especially now. I heard them tell how they were still discovering new things about each other and their bond was both palpable and real.
As I was leaving there was a sense of finality, of completion, of a life full and overflowing and yet a feeling of anticipation and joy. He honored me by asking for a blessing; how could I refuse the richest man in the world.
