Jerry Zawada, a Franciscan,
washed the feet of Natividad Cano,
and is kissing them, during the
‘migrant trail’ walk in Tuscon.
Turning the earth of the garden today I was reminded how life turns and turns. Like a seed planted we often feel like dying but if we are planted on good ground, like a seed, we rise and grow.
Jerry Zawada OFM is living with us upstairs when he is in town. Although Jerry is only five years older than me he is truly my elder, a wise person whose stories and life experience just flow naturally from him. He is a lot like Lorenzo Rosebaugh OMI, his best friend and my friend from 1968 till his death in Guatemala a few years ago. They are both holy and humble persons that we feel privileged to know. They both have been arrested and put in prison numerous times and find their blessings living in solidarity with the poor and suppressed.
They both move slow but get around and are deeply grounded in the Spirit. They both are priest who live the Gospel and like St. Francis, preach with their actions. Jerry, like Lorenzo, has a great sense of humor which is important when you are praised or put down. I know I am not a saintly person as they are but like the saints they point the way to live the Gospel and Word of God.
In gardening and farming there is what is called companion planting, where planting of different crops in proximity in the garden is done for pest control, pollination, and to otherwise increase crop productivity. It is like the marigold flowers planted around my raised garden bed in the front yard to keep out insects and animals or planting the basil, tomato and pepper plants together, all needed lots of nitrogen rich soil, sun and water.
Like companion planting, people around us in our environment, affects us. Good People make good companions and help us grow in mind, body and spirit. Jerry says the best education he ever had in life was in prison and his wish in life is to return to Tucson where he worked with immigrants who had crossed the border… Lorenzo worked with the poor on the streets and rural area of Brazil and Guatemala and El Salvador. From the people on the bottom, the earth person, in dying they rose to be the person they are.
Jesus says: “Blessed are you who are Poor for Yours is the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20) I say blessed are you Jerry and Lorenzo for you show us the way to the Kingdom of God.
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