Monday of Week 25 in Ordinary Time (Year I)
Ezra 1:1-6 | Psalm 125(126) | Luke 8:16-18
‘No one lights a lamp to cover it with a bowl or to put it under a bed. No, he puts it on a lamp-stand so that people may see the light when they come in.’ (Luke 8:16)
Our pilgrim group joined the locals for mass in Split yesterday, in place of our usual private celebration. We had no hope of understanding the celebrant’s homily, but we were nevertheless schooled by a couple of young kids.
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The celebrant was holding forth on his thoughts about the day’s liturgy, while I was nodding away and doing a fake translation from Croatian to English in my head. Something about how I shouldn’t be jealous about those who come to know God on their deathbed. I think that was it, but I can’t be sure…
…because a stunningly beautiful little girl made her way to the front of the church, and blew my mind (plus my homily contemplation). Stopping at the foot of the sanctuary, she turned around and beckoned to someone behind her, while beaming a carefree and heartwarming smile that lit up the entire church.
Taking a step at a time up to the sanctuary, she would pause, turn around and beckon again. Step, turn, smile, beckon.
No one present was looking at the homilist at this point, and no prizes for guessing who the homilist himself was looking at.
Soon, a handsome little boy approached the sanctuary too, whereupon the girl scampered off to a side altar, while her embarrassed father chased after her. The boy ascended to the sanctuary in turn, sat down at the foot of the processional cross, turned to the homilist and put on a pondering look.
I don’t think anyone present will forget this celebration for quite a while.
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Those two young children got right to the heart of today’s gospel. Unlike us mature adults, they didn’t believe in hiding their love for God and their neighbors.
Hurry up! Jesus is waiting!
Yes, Lord, You have my attention. Teach me Your ways.
Their love shone forth, and we all saw their light.
If I had the courage to truly act on my Christian faith, and wasn’t worried that I might be tagged as a pedophile, I would’ve gone up and given them both a hug full of love.
Perhaps, next time, I won’t be so reserved, though I’d have to be careful about how I express that love.
Hurry up! Jesus is waiting!
Amen.