“The truth of our faith becomes a matter of ridicule among the infidels if any Catholic, not gifted with the necessary scientific learning, presents dogma what scientific scrutiny shows to be false.”
St. Thomas Aquinas
Have you ever met people who made such a positive impression on you that you will never forget them? Every time you saw them, they were beaming with enthusiasm and joy, to see you. Whenever you were in their presence, they always treated you with dignity and as one uniquely special.
Roman Catholic Priest and prison chaplain, Father Fred Fury is this kind of very special soul. For more than a quarter century, Father Fury brought the power and empowerment of love, daily, to thousands of incarcerated men.
Day or night, he could be heard sharing with all his mantra for life. Whenever he is greeted by an inmate or prison employee who asked him how he was doing, he would always respond, “I am just glad to be alive.”
His big smile and glowing face was the living witness of his words. He was glad to be alive to be a blessing to the many, who more often than not, considered themselves worthless and unlovable.
I had the pleasure of serving alongside of him for 18 months. I served the protestant community incarcerated at Marion Correctional. I asked him once to share with me one of his prize moments as servant to his incarcerated brothers. I wanted to know how he managed to stay motivated to be God’s instrument of encouragement from day to day and from year to year.
He then pointed to a picture of himself with one with an interesting hairstyle, whose life had turned around during his stay at the Marion Correctional Institution in Marion, Ohio. He said this one had been tough to love beyond his anger. Because God does not give up on us, he would not give up on this child of God with a serious attitude.
When the brother was released from prison, he never forgot his friend and brother, Father Fury. He always remembered him when he staged great sporting events throughout the country.
We all used to wonder how Father Fury managed to have great seats at all the great fights. It was because the one for whom he served as mentor became one of today’s great prize fight promoters. He is Mr. Only in America, with hair reaching for the sky, Don King.
Be thankful to be alive today to bring the hope and blessing of love. You are the Father Fury in someone’s life. Your big smile and empowering enthusiasm is a positive influence in someone’s life. You will be amazed at how everything around you changes when you bring this gift of life to share.
Luke 10 vs 37b says, Then Jesus said, “Go and do thou likewise.
