Sunrise, Galveston, TX USA
“I am blessed,” Father Jim replied from his wheelchair, with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye, as I walked into church. This was Fr. Jim’s customary reply to my inquiry as to how he was doing.
Fr. Jim was a vibrant man in love with Jesus. Fr. Jim knew that although he had ALS, the disease did not define him; rather it was Fr. Jim’s love for Jesus, which radiated into every aspect of his being, that defined Fr. Jim Lee. Rejoicing in the Lord was Fr. Jim’s strength.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) These words were written by St. Paul while he was in prison but they could have been the words of Fr. Jim, for the Christian is not defined by his or her circumstances but by the love of God that dwells within them.
God loves us, so let us rejoice in the Lord always!