- February 14, 2020 Social Justice, Vocations
A Beautiful Day in the (CSJ) Neighborhood
By: Sister Kristina M. DeNeve
In December, I had the privilege of seeing Tom Hanks portray TV program creator Fred Rogers in “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” Reflecting back, two themes from the film help me articulate some of what I have been experiencing during my canonical novitiate year.
This true-to-life film portrays a husband and new father, a journalist named Lloyd, who is tasked with writing a 400-word story about Mr. Rogers. Even the trailer makes it clear that the journalist will be transformed by their relationship. In several significant ways, this movie is all about the process of Lloyd becoming more human: allowing his wife to see his fears, anger and shame; acknowledging areas within himself that are broken so that healing can begin; and beginning to make peace with imperfect people, himself included—himself first of all.
As I watched Lloyd become more genuine, open and vulnerable, I found myself crying. Depicted on the screen was both the process and the goal of our canonical year. I am just like Lloyd—trying to accept God’s invitation(s) for me to become more human, more fully alive, more fully myself. As novices, we are asked to pay attention to the daily opportunities we have to grow in awareness of and accept ourselves, to see our perfectly-imperfect selves as God sees us. And the invitation is not just to see ourselves more clearly. The more we experience ourselves as beloved of God, the more grounded we become in relationship with Jesus, the more we see others and the very world around us with the life-giving vision and heart of the Holy Spirit.
In addition to depicting the journalist’s growth, the core of this movie lies in showing us how Mr. Rogers radiated God’s unconditional love. Throughout the entire film, Fred Rogers consistently and genuinely cares for others—not just children, but whomever is immediately in front of him. Mr. Rogers listens deeply, concretely empathizes with what he hears, and openly affirms the feelings and perspectives of the person who is before him (our dear neighbor!). Critically, in every encounter, with every person, and in every conversation, Fred Rogers accepted the other wherever they were, no matter what they shared with him.
This is where you come in, my dear community members, you daughters of St. Joseph.
The impetus for Lloyd’s transformation was his relationship with Fred Rogers, from the genuine love and wholehearted acceptance he received from this creator of a children’s television program. So, too, have my formators and you, my dear Sisters of St. Joseph, been the impetus for my ongoing transformation. God worked through Mr. Rogers’ relationships just as God is working through our relationships. You have shown me what it means to love God and the dear neighbor without distinction because YOU have loved me as your dear neighbor. Without distinction. Without qualification.
Just as I’ve found unconditional acceptance in this community, so, too, do I hope to offer myself and others God’s unconditional acceptance. I hope to love more like Mr. Rogers. I hope to (continue to) love more like a Sister of St. Joseph.