Return of the Wise Man

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May 14, 2008 by ajgarrotto

This blog site is devoted to wisdom—what it is, how to arrive at it, and honoring those who possess and exemplify it. The “patron saint” of this site is Jean Valjean, protagonist of Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables and quintessential wise man of modern literature.

Today, my thoughts turn to a wise man who blessed my life, just as the magi blessed a Bethlehem child with gifts. On May 8, 2008—has it been only a week?—my friend, brother in Christ, and mentor Bill Joyce’s frail, bent body gave out. Or better, it opened up to release this treasured spirit to soar to God–and to Joyce, the wife who owned his heart and who lingered beyond the grave to keep him company until he found his way home to her.

Bill stored within his near-85 years a potent mix of Jesuit faith and knowledge, the tenderness of one who has known love in flesh and spirit, and a healthy common sense born of having learned well from his life experience. At the same time, wise Bill terrified those of us who loved and cared about him with his parallel foolishness. Case in point, a solo roundtrip to the symphony in San Francisco by car, public transportation, and on foot—less than two weeks before he died. But Bill lived life “his way,” as the song goes. Who of us looking back would say he should have lived our way, instead? His was the way of wisdom, tainted as it was with stubborn indiscretion.

I might consider myself too old to need a big brother, but in Bill I found the older, wiser brother I never had (being the only boy with two sisters). He thought everything I did was great. Don’t we all need someone like that in our life? Even better that it’s someone not related and thereby obligated to be supportive. Whether I was teaching, writing, or telling stupid jokes, he was my biggest fan. He made me want to be better.

This morning I was at my desk preparing the first class of our new RCIA Inquiry Series. Next week a new group of adults will sit in front of us saying, “Okay, show me what you’ve got. Tell me why I should I put my faith in Jesus Christ. Why should I trust the Catholic Church to be my moral compass and spiritual home?” As I pondered my response, tears rolled down my cheeks. “Hm, what’s this about?” I wondered. Then it hit me. Bill won’t be at his post in the back of the room next Thursday night. At least, not in the same way. Our visiting wise man has returned home to his native country.

Posted in RCIA, faith, grief, spirituality, wisdom | 4 Comments

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4 Responses to “Return of the Wise Man”

on 15 May 2008 at 7:34 am1 Mike Johnson

If Catholics are called to make a difference in this world and to help others, Bill Joyce certainly embodied this calling. He touched so many, so deeply, in such a short period of time. Bill, you have always been everyone’s biggest fan, and we know that you are still with us supporting us, cheering us on, smiling, and giving us your signature “thumbs up”. We love you and miss you.
on 15 May 2008 at 8:14 am2 Clyde Trombettas

Al,

I beleive it was May 8, 2008 (not September) Anyway, very nice reflection. I remember Bill sitting next to me my first few weeks of RCIA. I was wondering during those days what the heck I was doing there. Then I heard Bill tell someone next to him “I go to Mass everyday at 8:00am.” I asked bill “You must be joking, you only need to go to Mass on Sundays, why would you go everyday?”

Then, I got caught in Bills web, Bill said “why not come tomorrow, and we can get some coffee after.” That was three years ago and I still go to 8:00am Mass at least once a week.

I’ll miss my morning coffee with Bill terribly, he was/is my spiritual compass and guide, never judging, but always getting me to broaden my viewpoint in a very caring and respectful manner.

I miss him terribly.
on 15 May 2008 at 11:33 am3 Al Garrotto

I have corrected the error in the date of Bill Joyce’s death, I apologize to any of you who were confused by the date given in the original version of the post.
on 15 May 2008 at 7:19 pm4 Phyllis Stout

The year I went thru RCIA was Bill’s first year on the team–and I believe a first for Al also. After hours, Bill patiently taught me how to say the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross so that I could keep up with my two grandsons. When I was confirmed, Bill came to our home and meet all of our children and grandchildren. They adored him. Bill was always my spiritual friend, correcting me when I got it all wrong and taught me ever so patiently. Lou and I and our family will miss Bill very much, but I know in my heart that we will see him again.