To date, during these pandemic times, I have not yet felt comfortable physically returning to mass. Initially, my family and I were stellar home-church goers. We would line up our chairs for our 10 am mass service, just as we were, in fact, preparing to physically go to mass. More recently, though, sadly, our diligence of attending Sunday mass has wained. Early in the morning, we talk about watching mass online but instead eat a big, slow breakfast around the table and go on a walk through the neighborhood. Kurt and I will plan to watch mass while the girls nap, and by the time the girls are asleep, we are so exhausted that we also snooze on the couch.
We are making plans to do better, because we want to do better. We are SO missing mass.
In the last few weeks, though, while it's not exactly the same, I have been listening to the recorded Three Holy Women masses during my commutes to and from work. It has been lovely. Just the peace (piece!) that I am craving.
During last Sunday's mass, which was the Feast Day of All Saints, Fr. John Baumgardner gave such a beautiful introduction to mass. I've listened to it over and over again, as I feel it is a beautiful way to capture how we want to-- and try to!-- live our lives.
Fr. John began by sharing this quote from St. Mother Teresa: "Holiness is not the luxury of the few, but rather, it is the simple task, the simple invitation, for all of us." He then went on to say, "Please know, especially in the times in which we find ourselves in, that your efforts to live holiness, often in the small and creative and hidden ways of life, that they're noticed, they're appreciated, and that we just pray that all of us may persevere joyfully in that call and that pathway to holiness."
Your efforts to live holiness, often in
the small
and creative
and hidden
ways of life--
they're noticed!
They're appreciated!
And let us persevere joyfully!
Oh, what a gift from Father John! I just adore this. Since hearing his introductory prayer and welcome, I have been thinking about ways in which I, personally, can weave in creative ways of holiness and about ways that I see others secretly and graciously living out their call to holiness.
I see holiness in the city bus driver who enthusiastically waves and honks at my toddler who is yelling "BUS!" and flailing her arms in his direction with all the excitement a 2-year-old can muster.
I see holiness in my colleagues who are bringing their A-games and suiting up in goggles and N95s before each new client that we greet and (hopefully!) lift up.
I see holiness in the man who pulls Junie's scooter out of the street after she has a mini wipe-out coming down a hill. (Of note, a little boo boo on her knee, but she is otherwise just fine! And has further learned about the kindness of others!)
I see holiness in my 7-year-old neighbor boy who comes over and sits in our front yard to read books to his tiny neighbor friends.
I see holiness in the middle school students singing songs and riding down the street on their bikes.
I see holiness in the elderly woman at the grocery store, smiling at me through her mask and wishing me a happy day.
I see holiness in the teachers, discovering new ways to teach, motivate, and support their virtual learners.
I see holiness in each of us, respecting one another and striving to understand one another's perspective.
I see holiness in my sisters, as they awaken at 11 pm... and 2 am... and 5 am... to feed and comfort their hungry little newborns.
I see holiness in my dad, singing praises and songs of thanksgiving to God while enduring his immunotherapy treatments and awaiting his next scan results.
I see holiness in my mom, awakening at dawn each morning to sip coffee, read her devotional, and pray for her family and friends who are in need of God's comfort and nourishment-- and then continuing on to provide immense support for her family in every tangible way.
I see holiness in sweet Kurt, busting it during the day and coming home to dote on-- and cook for!-- his four ladies.
And I see holiness in you.
Yes, you. :) And all of your little creative and hidden ways that you are loving on yourself and on others.
As Father John and Saint Mother Teresa so beautifully pointed out, we are all called to sainthood. You are invited to be a saint. And what a beautiful job you are doing!
[Please enjoy the below photos of Saint Naomi, Saint Rose, and Saint June just shining their lights and doing their things!]
