So just call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you’d understand
We all need somebody to lean on
Those are lyrics from the 1972 smash hit “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers. He also had several another chart topping singles like “Ain’t No Sunshine” in 1971 and “Just the Two of Us” in 1981. I wasn’t a huge Bill Withers fan when those songs were originally released, but as I have aged I have found an appreciation for all of these songs.
I chose this verse of the song lyrics because I am thinking hard about brotherhood right now. I was fortunate to grow up with a pretty good brother, as good as a brother born 7 years before you can be. He taught me a lot of things through the years, some of which I am sure our parents would disapprove of even today. But that is not the brotherhood I am thinking about now. I am thinking about fraternal brotherhood.
In college I never did the Greek Life thing, I started down that path (Delta Upsilon pledge back in 1988) but I decided days before initiation that being Greek in college was not my scene. Fast forward to 2017, and I finally became a full-fledged member of a fraternal organization. No I didn’t go back college for a Ph.D. and join a frat. I joined the Knights of Columbus – the “frat for old Catholic guys.” (Disclaimer – you don’t have to be old to become a Knight, and most of us certainly don’t feel or act old)
Now based on what my college-aged daughter tells me, the KC gatherings are pretty tame compared to the college fraternity parties. Our idea of a good darty (day party for those born before 1995) is sitting around a huge BBQ pit watching 250 pounds of meat slowly smoke to perfection while having a “KC pop or two.” And our house (or hall) is not some large fancy mansion, rather it is the parish hall complete with metal siding. But the brotherhood is real and it is strong. I never imagined being associated with a group of men that care as deeply about each other as the brothers of KC Council 10333. I also never imagined a group of men that sincerely wanted to help their community as much my KC brothers. If a food truck needs to be driven around town to distribute food to the homeless, these guys are on it. If there is a roof leak in the Church during a tropical storm, these guys are showing up with shop vacs in the middle of the night to suck up the water. If there is a need to cook a dinner for a youth group, these guys are on it. If there is a need to drive seniors to doctor appointments, these guys are gassing up the car. They are truly modern day knights, ready to save the day whenever the call comes.
Over the past 6 weeks of the Lenten season, my fellow Knights and I have been hosting a fish fry each Friday night for the parish and the surrounding community. Imagine 50+ men with varying culinary skills, cooking up meals for approximately 300 people every week. Trust me, it’s an adventure every week, but it always comes together. It is also a pleasure to spend time with a group of men that want to serve God and their community in any way possible – even if that is breading and frying catfish or cooking up 100s of pounds of potatoes. Yes, frying food can be “God’s work.” And let me tell you, the brotherhood bonds grow strong over pots of hot oil.
This brings me back to the song. At our last fish fry, the KCs organized a flash mob of brothers to let our fellow parishioners know that we are all here to be leaned on. Now a few of my fellow brother knights have talented voices, but most of us (me included) have no business even singing in our trucks much less performing in public. But there we were, 50+ brothers standing in front of 300 people belting out Bill Withers’ hit song. (https://youtu.be/OsdVKcAkmoY) I actually think it was a pretty good gift to remind people that you don’t have to face life’s challenges alone. As Bill Withers let everyone know back in 1972:
If there is a load you have to bear
That you can’t carry
I’m right up the road
I’ll share your load
If you just call me
Vivat Jesus
Robert Not Bob 