I’m not typically a Roamin’ Catholic. When I break Eucharistic bread, nine times out of ten it’s at my home parish – a place dedicated to the patronage of St. Joseph.
Not so yesterday: Twice in one day, I found myself blessed by time spent at other parishes – churches dedicated to Mary, Joseph’s spouse, instead.
And it’s good to feel like a “newbie” from time to time, I decided. You learn things you didn’t expect to learn. You are given the chance to experience the familiar in novel and grace-filled ways.
One thing I learned: My home parish (which just wrapped up its year-long 160th Anniversary celebration) isn’t quite as venerable as I’ve long thought it to be.
Sure…St. Joe’s was founded way back in Civil War days, but that was decades later than Assumption Parish in South County. Who knew?
Who knew…and in what ways, perhaps, has that community’s historic spiritual legacy helped to sustain to my own parish’s vibrancy through the years?
Still pondering the mystery … and reveling in our unexpected spiritual connections … my Sweetie and I then traveled a bit further south – to House Springs, and Our Lady Queen of Peace, where Grandson #2 was about to make his First Holy Communion.
The little guy was beaming. And not just because he was the only boy surrounded by eight girls in this year’s Communion cohort. He will likely remember the day for being immersed in the Body of Christ – encircled by loving parents, brother, grandparents and other relatives, not to mention the uncle and great-uncle who concelebrated the liturgy.
And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them…
We hear this familiar passage proclaimed today, on the Third Sunday of Easter. Luke introduces us to Cleopas and his companion, two “newbies” who can’t quite make heads or tails of the events they’ve experienced over the past couple of days.
In the process, Luke reminds me that I’m a “newbie,” too. Somebody asked last night – somebody who knows I’ve been going to daily Mass for years – how many Communions I’ve made, compared to my grandson’s First.
Intriguing question … especially on just such a day … when I’ve been graced to break out of my familiar patterns of worship. I discover Jesus himself drawing near, perhaps even with a gentle gibe: “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe…”
It stirs this newbie’s spirit to notice Jesus, making himself known once again in the breaking of the bread. First time for Jonah. Something like the 10,200th time for his Gramps. Yet both of us are newbies. Neither of us has begun to plumb the depths of this miracle, this saving Eucharistic Presence – generously breathing new life into our slow sluggish slumbering hearts.
So thank you, Jesus, for drawing near once again. And may we newbies ever be consumed by the fire You and Your Spirit have enkindled in our hearts!
Let us pause now…to recall that we are in the presence of the Holy & Merciful One.
IHS
With Us Still 