Dear Friends,
One of the blessings of community is that we do not have to experience joy or pain in solitude. We can share the spiritual lifting of celebration, help bear the burden of grief. We can pray for and with one another in intercession and thanksgiving, inviting the Holy Spirit to bless us during and between the extremes that life delivers.
I benefit from our community just as you do and have been profoundly grateful for the prayers of those of you aware that my nephew, A.J. Jones, died suddenly late Tuesday evening. A.J., 18 years old, had just graduated high school and had been accepted into the US Marines, preparing to depart for duty in October. He’d worked very hard for more than a year to make sure that he could pass his physical and had straightened out some other life issues to prove his fitness for service. His commitment to success earned a special public commendation from his principal at graduation.
Nobody knew that A.J. was afflicted with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Any symptoms he exhibited could just as easily be explained by his exercise regimen and a full work schedule. By the time it was clear that something serious was happening, A.J.’s body was no longer able to fight the disease and no treatment could arrest it. Eighteen hours after entering the hospital, he died.
I have been blessed by your prayers and ask that you continue to pray for peace and comfort for Tracy and Bob Jones, A.J.’s parents, and for our entire family as we prepare for a celebration of A.J.’s life on Saturday.
At the same time, our community continues to rejoice in graduations of all kinds, the birth of new little souls, and a series of baptisms. A few photos are below, with more to come later this month in the July Crucifer. God is with us in both joy and grief, and he gives us to one another in love and support in both. Thanks be to God!
Wishing you every blessing,
Mtr. TJ