Celebrating 100 over years in Irondequoit
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Cycle A
John Trippe of Rochester, New York, developed a kidney malfunction at the age of five. By the time has was 27, this condition had so worsened that he was bedridden and constantly on a dialysis machine. There was only one possible permanent remedy, physicians assured the family - a kidney transplant.
Transplant donors are usually sought among members of the patient's family. Unfortunately, none of the older members of the Trippe family was found to qualify; neither the parents nor John's four sisters. That left kid-brother Jerry who was only 16. It was a big decision for a teen-ager, so the family was careful to bring no pressure upon him. John himself, however much he desired to regain his health, neither encouraged Jerry to take the tests nor discouraged him. The choice had to be his own. Jerry decided to take the tests because he wanted to. He volunteered to submit to the almost excessive number of examinations required. He almost had to fight his way to be considered. The doctors and technicians warned him again and again to think twice about doing something he might live to regret.
Final results of the tests showed that John and Jerry's system matched closely. Hence there was 80-90% chance of successful transplant which could give John at least 24 more years to live. Jerry gave his consent. The operation took place November 17, 1981. The transfer of the one kidney from brother to brother was a success, and both recovered nicely. When an interviewer of the Democrat and Chronicle asked Jerry why he had fought so hard to give up a kidney, he said, "I love John, and I wanted to do it. It's as simple as that!"
One of the most godlike gifts God made us is our free will. As today's first reading says, "There are set before you fire and water: to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand." We can choose fire and be burned, or water and be refreshed. But we can choose, of our own free will. What better motive is there for choosing to sacrifice a part of our life than because we love our brother?
-Fr. Robert F. McNamara
