July 2025

Beneficent was the Word of the Day at Jan's Toastmaster meeting last Friday. It's one of those words that nicely rolls off the tongue. Like a full- bodied wine, the word Beneficent leaves a soft, luscious finish.

Beneficent is an adjective that describes kind acts of good will. This Reflection will focus on two kinds of beneficence.

I do not know anyone who lost their lives in the recent Texas flooding that killed more than 130. But I do know people who are helping with the recovery efforts.

The last two churches I served as interim pastor are both in counties effected by the flooding. Each of them – First Christian Church of Kerrville, Texas and First Christian Church of Burnet, Texas – offered their facilities to organizations serving meals to rescue workers and flood victims. The Benedictine Sisters of Boerne, Texas, where Jan and I are Oblates, are housing out-of-state rescue and recovery volunteers in one of their buildings. Two of our neighbors organized a fund-raising drive among the residents of the senior-living community where we live to assist the recovery efforts.

Several of the charitable groups assisting in the flood-stricken areas have chaplains who offer a trained and compassionate listening ear to victims of the flooding. At least 13 U.S. states – and one from Mexico – sent rescue teams to the affected areas. As of last Friday, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country – just one of the charities collecting funds to aid the flood-ravaged communities – had already received more than thirty million dollars in donations, and disbursement of those funds has already begun.

Amid all the grief and loss, this beneficence, this outpouring of generosity, is cause for rejoicing. One Facebook friend, who lives in Kerrville, says these volunteers are “like angels from heaven.”

So long as our hearts go out to victims of disaster; so long as hands reach out to help our neighbors in need; so long as we can see people truly loving their neighbors as they love themselves, there is hope for our troubled world.

--Bill

We never know when we might be called upon for beneficent companionship. Victims of the recent flooding tragedy in the Texas Hill Country received compassionate responses from individuals, businesses, agencies, and so many who came with no agenda, except to do good. Our own H-E-B grocery store chain sent convoys of disaster relief trucks. When the flood waters recede, each survivor will have a story to tell.

At the same time, a friend and neighbor, quietly living in our senior living community, received the diagnosis: stage 4 cancer. No one is ever ready to face that diagnosis, any more than the shock of a river raging out of its banks.

My friend always had opinions and stories to tell. In his last days, many friends came to visit. Many stories were told. Many stories lay silent. One of the greatest gifts a terminally ill patient can give is to allow those who care, to come close, close enough to hear the last words.

While not being a ‘certified end- of- life doula’ my 30+ years in a listening profession prepared me, and I have companioned people on their final earth journey to the next life. Offering emotional support to the patient, family, and friends who gather can be as soothing as gently massaging a warm lotion on a patient's arms and feet. 

Having a beneficent companion with an accepting attitude, and a listening, non-judgmental presence can be the comforting balm that eases pain. A beneficent companion is often the container, the holder of last words.  

--Jan

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