To Be Like Him

Jul 16

Oblate Fathers Joe and Michael Newman traveling to Annecy, France

As I write this, I am sitting in the Detroit Airport with my older brother, Michael traveling to Annecy, France for the General Chapter of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Michael is also an Oblate priest and ministers as a pastor for Holy Family Parish in Adrian, Michigan.

Something you should know about us is that although we are brothers, we are nothing alike! We don’t look alike, think alike, or dress alike. The other thing you should know is that Michael is incredibly talented and I chose him as my Assistant Provincial of the Toledo-Detriot Province. He makes my life and work infinitely more enjoyable and manageable. He supports me when I need it, questions me when I need it, and laughs with me when I need it. Also, I love him dearly.

I have the time to write this reflection because our international flight to the General Chapter was delayed in Detroit. Once again, Michael and I approach things differently. Michael gets a bit worried when plans change… Are we going to make our connections? What about our luggage? Are we going to be late to the General Chapter? I move to quickly rebook our flight, see where the closest wine bar is located, and explore if we can get some cheap upgrades on our seats. Like I said, we approach things differently.

For a long time, I believed we were dissimilar until I gave the Lenten Mission at his parish. That is when I discovered that we have the same laugh. His parishioners came up to me every night and said: “You were speaking, but I thought it was your brother.” I have come to find that we have the same laugh and the same voice. We also often steal one another’s homilies and give each other ideas on what to preach.

In both of his major works, St. Francis de Sales makes the point that we become like what we love. I’m so pleased to know that I share Michael’s laugh and voice and as I think about it, I believe it is truly our dad’s laugh and voice. We love him, and thus, we became like him.

In the same way, I am in awe of those who love God. To love God transforms us to become more like our beloved. My prayer this week is, “Lord, give me the grace to love You, to become more like You whom I love, and someday, even share Your laugh.”

May God be Praised!