Many Rooms

I went to bed last night fairly satisfied with what I wrote about Sept. 11. Today, I awoke to learn that American diplomats died violently in Libya. I knew at some point that I would want to share what Big Guy said, in May, about his sister Candy Squared at the Eucharist of the Resurrection in celebration of her life. Candy Squared abhorred violence, in any form, and in that belief she wore her heart on her sleeve and never failed to speak for peace. On this day, with more violence added 11 years later to September 11, it seems appropriate to share Big Guy's words.

Words spoken on May 8 at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Baltimore, Maryland.

"In my Father's house, there are many rooms."

This verse from the Gospel of John was one of Candy Squared's favorites. My sister embraced this philosophy in how she lived her life and I'm so proud to be her brother.

Candy Squared believed that God wants and loves everyone and has a room prepared for everyone, no matter how disenfranchised, how marginalized, angry or disturbed they might be. My sister joyfully lived her life in service as, here on Earth, she walked from room to room in God's house, being available to those who needed God most. She traveled to wherever God wanted her to be.

A passion for social justice threaded throughout everything that Candy Squared did. She hated war and violence in all forms, even as she ministered to veterans suffering post traumatic stress syndrome. Candy Squared counseled crime victims and held the hands of dying AIDS patients. She ministered to hospice patients. She listened to those most difficult to minister to--ones that were angry with God or vehement in their belief that no God existed.

Candy Squared loved children, and one of the things she loved most about serving as a parish priest was the opportunity to work with children--both the preschoolers so certain of God, and the teenagers who doubt everything. My sister adored her nieces and nephew. It thrilled her to participate in their big moments.

First, and foremost, to me, Candy Squared was my big sister. Seven years older than me, we were different in many ways but still managed to connect. I remember visiting her at Duke University when I was 17--she tried to feed me vegetarian food but I snuck off to Burger King. We certainly didn't agree on everything, but Candy Squared made room for me as she went on to make room for so many others. I miss her.

What would Candy Squared say about the events of last Thursday? I think she would say that God has a room prepared, even for a troubled soul such as Douglas Franklin Jones. She wouldn't want us to dwell on Thursday, but instead to leave here today remembering that in choosing to live our lives with grace and forgiveness, we move forward from this moment.

In my Father's house, there are many rooms.