Smiling Eyes

Hospitality is a charism we are proud to value as much as we do at our parish of St Francis de Sales. In the past 6 years I have seen this community grow in amazing ways as we continue to look for ways to welcome new folks into our midst.

As we prepare to come back home to in person Sunday Mass this weekend, I find myself a bit nervous. Teasing apart the many reasons why anyone could be hesitant about coming into a building for a large group gathering I am surprised to find it's not the many health related cautions that are my concern, but rather, how to exhibit and share a warm welcome with others as they enter our church with our current restrictions. As you enter with your mask securely in place, and my mask on my face, we won't be able to see each others smiles. We won't be able to shake hands or hug.

In Sunday's Gospel Jesus speaks about how we are to receive one another as if we were receiving God's very self. "Whoever receives you, receives me and the one who sent me".

Maybe this is where we find our clue for how we are to receive one another this weekend.

When you come into the doors of the church tomorrow, I can look in your eyes and know we are gathered together once again as sisters and brothers in God's own heart and home. I suspect for all of us, the joy and anticipation we have about coming together as 'church' once again, will be bubbling over in our eyes and our hearts. Masks will not be able to conceal our happiness.

So, I have, we have, nothing to worry about. In fact, I think our disposition towards hospitality will find many new, creative ways to exhibit itself tomorrow and in the days to come.

As we reflect back over the past few months, we can take time to recognize and grieve for what has been lost. People we love, the ease of travel and access to people and places-how we think about all of this is different now. I encourage us too, to acknowledge and celebrate the many blessings we have discovered as a result of our months of solitude and prayer. We have learned to value the people around us in whole new ways... (or old, like when we were young, family dinners and games  again.) Let us bring both our sorrow and our joy with us as we gather together, both in person and virtually for Sunday Mass tomorrow. There may have been loss, but thankfully there have been blessings too.

I can't wait to see you tomorrow, especially your smiling eyes over your masks!

What Is Your Favorite Type of Bread?

This reflection might be difficult for some of you carb lovers who try so hard to be mindful of where ‘bread’ fits into your daily life;  Le Pain Quotidien as it were…

(A quick aside: we did all know that means ‘our daily bread’ right? Have to admit, that’s a clever name for a bakery!  And you know Corpus Christi means Body of Christ right? Not just the city in Texas...OK, moving on...)

It is no accident that Jesus choose bread as the sign and symbol that would unite and unify his followers. Think about what a universal symbol bread is. Every culture, every ethnic group has its own version of ...bread...white bread, italian bread, french bread, tortillas, matzoh, mantou (China), Naan, pita, puri….and on and on….! Jesus claims he is our living bread!
These days as Catholics who have been forced to stay away from our Sunday celebrations of the Eucharist, many of us have been thinking about how much we miss Communion, both the Eucharist and the time we have with each other at Mass. We have been called to think about ways in which we may be called to BE communion, to be the presence of God to one another, while we are both away physically from one another and at the same time, united in some most profound spiritual ways. We have been in awe and wonder as we realize that God has been present to us in the most amazing moments, if we have the eyes to see. In a very real way we are learning that all of life is sacrament and sacred. Where have you discovered the mystery of God in your life this week? 
Once you see the wonder of God around you, how do you let that change you? If we aren’t changed by our encounter with the Divine, what’s wrong with us? Shouldn’t we be changed in our very heart of hearts, if we truly are seeking God? And if we are changed, then our actions will reflect our change of heart, right? 

I had the privilege Tuesday evening of attending a gathering (virtually, of course) of churches united in their desire to work for the end of the sin of racism in our institutional church. These churches, from different areas of Manhattan, have met over the last few years to educate themselves and their parishioners, on the topic of ANTI racism. I am proud to say that St Francis de Sales has been a part of this endeavor as well. If you’re not sure of how we have been involved, I’d invite you to check out our video offerings on our website to see what so much of the focus of our Pop Up Theology has been. 
The conversation among the wisdom figures in this group quietly spoke to the level of exhaustion that folks are feeling at this moment in time. One person reflected on the image of a race, and said that this work may not be a marathon, but, in reality, more of a relay...with the idea that we need to learn how to pass the baton…
What do we need in order to take care of ourselves when we are exhausted? We need nourishment! In this instance, the food we need, so clearly, is the Living Word of God in our midst, shared with one another. We need to fill ourselves with the truth that we are sisters and brothers, children of one God, who loves all of us, indiscriminately. We are called to be that living bread for one another. We are bread for the world. We are called to stand shoulder to shoulder, arm in arm, (OK, ideologically, if not physically because of social distancing!) and witness to our unity in Christ Jesus.

There are lots of ways to do this, not everyone is called to or feels comfortable just now, in joining a march. That’s perfectly understandable given the last three months of Covad restrictions. Be at peace! 
There are other options available to us; ways to reach out to the lonely, the elderly, the sick, and let them know they are not forgotten. These are days we may choose to make peace with someone we have been estranged from.  We can share what we have with the hungry. We can’t all do everything, but we can all do something!

May Jesus inspire us to be food for one another today. May we be changed by our encounter with our very own Living Bread! May we, in Jesus' name, look for ways to build up and nourish each other, and stand united as witness to all that is good in our world.

The Mystery of Relationships

This coming Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Trinity. Sister Joseph Anita, CSJ was right...it is a mystery. But lots of things are mysteries to me (math for one....) so I'm comfortable with not understanding all of the finer points of this doctrine. What I heard yesterday in a reflection on this topic sticks with me right now: Trinity is about relationship. The loving relationship between the Creator, the Son and the Spirit.

Relationships are vital to our lives as human beings. We grow in community with one another. We thrive in the light of the love we share, the friendships that feed our souls.

Our world is hurting today. Could it finally be that we have reached a breaking point? Are we at last ready to admit that we have failed to care for each other as sisters and brothers in Christ's love?

Racism is a sin that destroys, crushes, kills.

We are called, as followers of Jesus Christ, to live in the light, to speak truth, to love one another.

Any time, in any circumstance, when we treat others as less than ourselves, because they are different from us, we are guilty of the sin of racism. (Or whatever -ism applies in that circumstance)

Really, it's that simple, isn't it?

We've all learned the 'golden rule' treat others as you want to be treated...love one another...
We have found a million ways in our world not to do this.

Oh, consciously we may try, or think we're trying to treat others equally, fairly. Many times, the truth is we are not aware that unconsciously we have all sorts of unknown biases that live in our hearts.

Here is a really small example that was pointed out to me this week: why are 'flesh colored' band aids the color of my particular skin tone? Really small example, huge repercussions.

I am challenging myself this week and moving forward to pay attention to all the many ways the choices I make may break/harm my relationships with my brothers and sisters in my world. I want to be a better Christian Catholic. I want to honor my God by honoring those in our world who have had to fight for fair and just treatment by the majority for the last 400 years.

I invite you to think about your relationships, on this Trinity Sunday, and think about what you want them to be.  May we all strive to make our relationships with one another holy and whole in the light of our Savior.