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Though he was in the form of God, … [he] emptied himself, taking the form of a slave. (Philippians 2:6a,7a)
I’ve kept a curled, yellow news clipping on my desk for years. It’s an obituary for Kenneth Ignatius Neff. I never met him and know nothing more about him than what his obit says.
He had been a monk in Iowa but left the monastery to start his own monastic community in Illinois. Moving to Palestine, Texas, he lived as a hermit for 18 years, before pouring himself into volunteer work to protect children, abused women and hospital patients. He also worked in a crisis center and taught prison inmates in a rehab program.
He requested no funeral service, wanting only to be remembered as having ‘lived a simple life of reflection, prayer and service.’
I don’t wonder about his motives. They’re obvious. His heart was totally given, surrendered to the high and holy purpose of loving the world the way Christ Jesus loves the world.
I remember weeping when my eyes first fell upon his contented smile in the photo that accompanied his obit. It was like looking into the face of Jesus and feeling the love that you always wanted … and always wanted to be.
David L. Miller
1 comment:
Hello David Thank you for your kind comments about Ken Neff. I am surprised I am the first to comment. I was thinking about Kenneth and decided to look him up because I couldn't remember what year he died. I met him in Prison. I was there for a crime that never happened but that's irregardless
He was something very special. He would bring a page of profound thoughts that he had written. I'm not sure if they were all original but they were very insightful. He was quite a man. I reconnected with him probably about 2010 or so and even visited him at his home. Very simple, but nice, and comfortable. He had several cats and dogs that he loved immensely. That was one of the big things that we had in common and I have for most of my life tried to be a Spiritual being although I feel that i fail more than I succeed. He was truly an inspiration and the kindest, most loving, and inspiring man I ever met. I still miss him when I think of him. I would call him rarely at best cause I was never very good at calling people but regardless he is someone who I have always been inspired to be like. He was like a Jesus in a lot of ways I'm sure. But I know he believed it was the purpose of all of us to be the best version of Jesus we can be. The ironic thing about him was he didn't have a religious bone in his body. I know he was in a monastery and he apparently had one on his property in some form or fashion. I just remembered him talking about the hermitage on his property. I'm not sure exactly about the monastery part exactly but I think he was. Regardless I've never met anyone like him and I miss him to this day. He left too soon as i could have enjoyed our talks for many more years. I wasted so much time not calling him in those 9 or so years. He is certainly someone that you never forget! You'll find my comments in his Legacy Obituary as well. Thank you
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